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Doctors once predicted Pedie McDonald would not live past 4 years old.
He is now 59. The odds never really mattered. The man lovingly called Pedie by all his friends overcame those the same way he has attacked all life's obstacles. He did so with grace and honor.
Along the way, Pedie has become a Loyalsock legend and a community treasure. Pedie is disabled, but so often he is the one helping others.
Those who have played basketball at Loyalsock over the last 39 years know that well. Pedie has served as a team manager since 1980 and the amount of lives he has touched during that time seems endless. It is little wonder then that it was Pedie, not any of the players, not even long-time coach Ron Insinger, who received the loudest ovation upon receiving his gold medal following Loyalsock's 70-36 District 4 Class AAA championship win last Saturday against Wellsboro.
"Pedie is like a good-luck charm. He means a lot to us," Loyalsock center Bam Brima said. "It's great to be able to give him a medal."
"He's one of the nicest people in the world. He will talk to you in the nicest way possible and his manners are incredible," forward Connor Watkins said. "He's a wonderful guy and I love having him around."
Pedie has been around Loyalsock basketball since the Jimmy Carter administration and the township's love affair with him has grown stronger each year. It began in 1980 when Pedie started attending Loyalsock boys basketball practices. Insinger was in his sixth season as coach and instantly liked Pedie. He asked him if he would like attending road games with the team and Pedie accepted. Soon, he became a team manager and Pedie became as synonymous with Loyalsock as winning.
Seen and heard at nearly every Loyalsock game, Pedie is like a celebrity. Everyone knows his name, everyone enjoys his company. That includes Insinger, who has had Pedie by his side for each of his 22 district championships and more than 800 of his Pennsylvania-record 1,012 wins.
"Pedie never met a stranger. He's immediately friends with everybody," Insinger said. "He's so polite and well-mannered and his charm is like a magnet to everyone around him. You walk away from a conversation with Pedie and you're immediately in love with him."
When Pedie is not helping the basketball team, he often is making an impact at Hope Enterprises, an organization that offers programs and services for those with developmental disabilities. Pedie has become a role model there, as well as a face for the organization. That is especially true each year at the Liberty Mutual Golf Invitational. Pedie has become an Invitational ambassador and those who work in the national Liberty Mutual department often express their excitement about seeing Pedie again.
He also attends food services classes and learns basic kitchen skills and pushes the snack court through the Hope Enterprises building. Pedie knows the prices of the snacks and also takes money and provides change. Whatever the task, Pedie attacks it with his trademark enthusiasm and lifts the spirits of those around him.
"If you ask him to be a part of something he is always on board," Hope Enterprises Director of Development Mackenzie Howe said. "Pedie has a great outlook and he's very fun to be around. He's the model of what we're trying to do."
What Loyalsock players try doing every year is spend as much time as possible with Pedie. A yearly Loyalsock tradition is designating a senior who will drive Pedie home from each practice and game. Insinger has seen fights nearly break out when it comes time to making that decision. Becoming Pedie's designated driver is almost as sought after as a district or state championship medal.
Watkins was selected this year and has treasured the experience. Whatever else is going on in Watkins' life, he knows Pedie will make him feel good. Win or lose, strong or rough performance, Pedie does not care. Watkins and all the Loyalsock players are winners in his book, no matter the score. The lift that provides those players is priceless.
"Pedie is a huge part of the community. He's family to Loyalsock. It's my honor taking him home every day," Watkins said. "After games he's always talking to me about the game and letting me know I did well. He's always encouraging me and he's making other guys feel better all the time. That is a huge boost for everybody and, coming from him, that means a lot because he means a lot to us."
"I've never heard him say a negative thing about anyone. He's always so upbeat," Insinger said. "He's part of the family, he really is. We cherish every moment he is with us."
Nearly all those who come in contact with Pedie say the same thing. He is a profile in courage, obliterating the expectations doctors long ago placed on him. He lives his life by the Golden Rule and is beloved, not because of what he has, but because of who he is.
A constant presence at Loyalsock Little League games, the field at Bruce Henry Park is now named in Pedie's honor. Players and coaches from opposing teams in whatever sport he is attending, will stop and talk. Employees who work at Joe's Pizza near Loyalsock High School will make sure he safely crosses the street. People are eager to help Pedie because he helps so many.
A few years ago, Pedie was at the Little League World Series. He attends nearly every game and one night had talked beforehand to a city bus driver who promised he would take him home. Later that night, Pedie ran into Insinger who told him he would drive him home. What mattered to Pedie was not that he had a quicker ride home, but finding the bus driver. Pedie had to let him know he no longer needed a ride.
Fifteen buses were lined up following that night's game, but Pedie knew exactly which bus was the right one and let the driver know that he no longer needed a ride. Pedie was not thinking about himself. He was thinking about someone else. And that is how he lives his life every day.
"Pedie is so conscientious," Insinger said. "Pedie has a way of bringing everyone up and making them feel good about themselves. That's what Pedie is about."
This man who long ago was written off has become the ideal provider. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. They come in all ages. They do not wear capes and their acts are wide-ranging.
Look at how Pedie lives his life. Look at how he makes others feel.
One better believe, Pedie McDonald is a hero.