ACWORTH, Ga. -- On a warm day in October, a field in Acworth was the site of a tremendous moment for an inspiring boy.
Justin Millwood is a child who makes an impact, spreading a wide smile and infectious laugh that both seem never-ending. He has found the time to laugh while battling cerebral palsy, a condition he has had since birth that has kept him unable to stand or even lift his arms.
"When he was struggling to crawl or stuff like that, I'd get very upset," recalled his grandmother, Karen Millwood. "He was having a hard time with it, and it would break my heart."
Several years ago, Justin went to China for five weeks for stem cell surgery that wasn't available in the U.S. In that time, he befriended all the doctors, ate lots of chocolate, and received treatments that have allowed him to start learning how to walk with a walker.
But Justin has also found an elixir a little closer to home: Horizon Field in Acworth.
Every fall and spring Saturday, the field hosts the Horizon League, where special needs children from across North Georgia swing, run, and simply, play ball.
"These children for years sat in the stands and watched their brothers and sisters," said Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood. "Now, they're on the field."
The field is completely level and handicap-accessible; it also cost more than $1 million to build, dollars that the community raised itself.
Is it working out?
"He's getting outside, being with other kids," said Karen Millwood, "And he and Nick get along fabulously."
Nick Geter is a senior at North Cobb Christian, but in this story, he's Justin's "buddy." Every player in the Horizon League gets a buddy -- a volunteer and companion through the games.
"I saw his smile and I decided I never wanted to be buddying with anyone else again," Nick recalled of the first time he met Justin.
On the field, Nick and Justin talk and talk -- Justin in his chair, Nick by his side.
And then one day, Justin decided he didn't want to be in his chair anymore.
"He's like, 'I got a surprise'," Nick said. "I was like, 'What's the surprise?' He was like, 'I'm bringing my walker in a couple of weeks.' I was like, 'Really?' He said, 'Oh man! I wasn't supposed to tell you that!'"
Justin walked in public for the first time in his life, all during a Horizon League game.
"Our team all crowded around first base and started cheering for him when he got there," Nick said. "I asked, 'Are you too tired?' And he was like, 'No, I want to keep going.'"
And they kept going... to second base, third base, and home plate.
"In every step it was a huge challenge for him, just pushing forward," Nick said. "In total, to go around the bases, it took him about 20 minutes.
"He finally crossed home plate, and to be honest, I don't know if there was a dry eye there," he added. "He just collapsed; he was exhausted, but he was so proud of himself. I was so proud of him."
The fans that day will never forget the tears they cried; they will never forget seeing the proud result of raising all that money; and they will never forget that unforgettable child -- and his unforgettable home run.
For more information on the Horizon League in Acworth, click here.
To watch a YouTube video that Nick made chronicling Justin's trip around the bases, click here. | 
