President Obama meets 11-year-old Haley Klepper - story and pics

[Kadie]

US President Barack Obama greets 11-year-old Haley Klepper during a ceremony honoring the 2012 NCAA Women’s College Basketball Champion Baylor Bears in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, July 18, 2012. The team's so-called biggest fan, Klepper, who suffers from a rare Mitochondrial disease, attends all the team's games and has a reserved spot in the locker room.








July 18, 2012 03:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time
National Champion Baylor Lady Bears Bring Along Biggest “Little” Fan to White House Reception with President Obama

First NCAA Basketball Team to Ever Win 40 Games Climbed into Stands to Share Championship with ‘Good Luck Charm’ Haley Klepper


WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ten-year-old Haley Klepper, “adopted” by the 2011-12 NCAA National Champion Baylor Lady Bears basketball team last year, joined the team at a White House afternoon reception Wednesday, July 18.

“The girls were really honored – they love this team as much as the team loves them.”
Haley, the young girl from Waco, Texas, with an infectious smile, her sister Hannah and parents Greg and Brenda were there when President Obama welcomed the Lady Bears to the White House to congratulate them on their historic 40-0 season and NCAA victory. Haley is the team’s self-described “good luck charm.”

“Haley was so excited she could hardly sleep just thinking of meeting the President,” said Greg Klepper, Haley’s father and Texas businessman. “The girls were really honored – they love this team as much as the team loves them.”

Haley baffled doctors for more than six years when, overnight, she began losing her ability to walk, hear and see. Finally, after a multitude of tests and meetings with specialists, doctors diagnosed her condition as a very rare mitochondrial disease, but still don’t know how to treat her.

Last year, Lady Bears head coach Kim Mulkey heard about the Kleppers’ story and introduced Haley to the team, believing they could learn from each other. Today, Lady Bear fans know Haley and Hannah very well. They have their own locker at Ferrell Center and, when the team cemented their championship in Denver, the players climbed into the stands and brought the girls down on the court to celebrate with them.

more...
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120718006567/en

[Gothmog]

1. This story made me smile

Thank you for sharing

[longship]

2. This post brought tears and a big smile.

I love my president. He is the antithesis of the Republican opposition.

Every time I see these pictures of Obama interacting with citizens, I see the extent of the difference between Obama and Rmoney.

Our president engages with the public. He hugs people; he engages their problems; he allows people to approach him, touch him, feel what he feels.

The iconic image is the woman whose sister died of cancer. Obama gladly let her weep on his shoulder. Instead of casting her aside, our president engaged her, comforted her. I would hate for that pic to be exploited for political gain, but it certainly illustrates in unequivocal means, the difference between the parties.

Barack Obama is my president.

[Botany]

9. Barack Obama is my president.

Mine too! The most powerful man in the world kneels down so she can be face to
face with her and then reaches out to hold her arm .... the man is class!

[Gothmog]

14. Well Said

I agree. I am proud to have President Obama serve as my President.

[Botany]

15. kids and dogs know

[Hawaii Hiker]

10. Exactly, well said...

President Obama makes me proud to be an American....After 8 years of that SOB Bush, it's great to wake up in the morning and know that Barack Obama is in the White House...

We must re-elect this damn good president and even better human being in November!..We can't lose to that skunk Romney...

[JoePhilly]

3. Incredibly cute little girl. nt

[Skittles]

6. a true cutie pie!

[jonthebru]

4. Women's sports is so much different than men's sports.

Women support each other much more than competing men's teams do. As big as the competition gets they still give each other the support.
This is a really great story.

[Dawgs]

12. I couldn't disagree more. I love ALL sports. I watch anything that comes on every night.

I attend as many as possible, women or men.

I see zero difference in how they support each other.

[nmbluesky]

5. Mitt Supporter: Obama a ‘Monster’

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2012/07/18/mitt-supporter-obama-a-monster.html

He isn't monster. He is a human and care the to people.

[Shankapotomus]

7. No doubt from that smile

the president meets with her approval. The true test of a president lies in the accepting eyes of the humblest Americans. Beautiful.

[Cracklin Charlie]

17. I love your comment

If you don't mind, I think I will steal it.

We see those accepting eyes a lot with this president, don't we?

[Shankapotomus]

19. Yes, we do.

There's something in the girl's face that makes one think the honor was all his, doesn't it? What a moment and photo. Thanks for your comment. Please feel free to reuse anything you like.

[rurallib]

8. Damn that Obama - he's made me cry again!

It just makes me sick the Republicans paint this wonderful man like some sort of monster.
And his family - they are the American Dream in reality.
But they are the wrong color.

[Dustlawyer]

11. Just imagine it was Willard in that chair instead of Obama!

[Cracklin Charlie]

13. Thanks a lot!

Why did I read that? My client just got here for a 2:00 appointment, and tears are streaming down my face.

I knew I should have waited.

for realz tho, thank you!

[hue]

16. K&R!

[Cracklin Charlie]

18. Sorry to be lazy

But I just got here.

Has anyone seen the traditional picture of President Obama with the entire team?