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By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan quarterback John O'Korn leaned back in a lounge chair at Schembechler Hall, raised both arms to stretch, and interlocked his fingers while talking. A tattoo on the inside of his left wrist became visible, and I asked about the significance of the small letter "G" that turns out being the only ink he has on his body.
"A friend of mine's daughter has a brain disorder," said O'Korn. "It's called Lissencephaly. She's four years old. Her parents are friends of mine from Los Angeles, and they noticed this disorder shortly after she was born.
"Her name is Georgia, and the 'G' is for her. She has a developmental brain disorder. (Doctors) told her parents, Chad and Julia Veach, who are pastors in Los Angeles, that the brain is almost completely flat. They spoke at my church in Houston a few times, and through mutual friends I got to know them."
O'Korn played at the University of Houston in 2013 and 2014, throwing for 3,117 yards and 28 touchdowns as a freshman, before transferring to Michigan last year. He sat out the one season required by the NCAA and is competing for the starting job in 2016 with Shane Morris and Wilton Speight.
"John is the best," Chad Veach said in a phone interview with MGoBlue.com. "The church he was from in Houston, Lakewood Church (pastored by Joel Osteen), is a church we're close to. We went there and met Johnny, who is close to their staff, and we got to hang out, get meals and spend down time together. So, we really got to know him."
Veach, 36, has been a pastor since he was 19, following his father into the ministry, and now leads the Zoe Church in West Hollywood, California. The congregation has grown to more than 800 members in eighth months, and Veach's calling has led him to impact a number of entertainment and sports stars.
Singer Justin Bieber, actress Ashley Benson and basketball players Tyson Chandler and "reportedly" Kevin Durant are among the approximately 150 friends Veach estimates now having "G" tattoos in honor of Georgia.
"There are NFL football players and NBA basketball players with it," said Veach. "Justin Bieber has it. Some models like Hailey Baldwin have it. Golfers like Rickie Fowler have it. Kevin Durant reportedly has one, and I'm close to Kevin. Some of our friends say he's got it. Tyson Chandler has the 'G' tat."
Sweet little Georgia is more than 2,000 miles away, but O'Korn has her and her parents on his mind. I asked him what he thinks about when looking at the "G" tattoo.
"It's a constant reminder of a couple things," said O'Korn. "First, they told Chad and Julia she would never respond to them in any way or communicate or walk. She's four and still in a stroller and can't walk, but they said she couldn't hear what they would tell her. They have video, though, of them telling her things and her smiling.
"She has the most beautiful smile and is obviously responding to them and feeling the love of her parents. So, it's a reminder that..."
O'Korn paused for a moment and stared at the tattoo.
He continued, "It's a reminder that no matter what the circumstances are, what the diagnosis is, God always has the final word. It's also a reminder to pray for her and anybody else I know who is sick or hurting. It's a reminder of her parents, two people who have dealt with a lot of adversity. I can't imagine getting that diagnosis and how faithful they've been. They are two of the most beautiful people I've ever met and are a constant reminder that everything's going to be okay.
"They all had a huge impact on my life. Obviously, to get a tattoo, their daughter's initial, my lone tattoo, is something special. I thought of getting it for her six months prior to getting it, but said I would wait six months, and if I still wanted it, I would get it. I didn't want to get a tattoo on impulse. I was back home in Pennsylvania last summer and got it with my brother, who also got a tattoo."
I relayed those comments to Chad Veach.
"Wow," he said, "That's not a small thing, having a young man of his caliber mark his body for your family and your daughter. That's not an ordinary thing to me. It's a very special big deal."
His daughter has impacted many with her spirit and story of perseverance since the Veaches were told of her rare mental challenge. Lissencephaly has less than 2,000 recorded cases.
"The tragedy for us is not just the diagnosis but having a first-born baby and feeling the enjoyment and excitement of that," said Veach. "You bring her home, and you digress from there, and it is kind of shocking. When we left the hospital, we were told, 'She's a healthy baby.'
"She has smooth brain, which means that for whatever reason, her brain just didn't form. So, you have this beautiful, four-month-old daughter, and you hear the doctor say, 'We're so sorry. Your daughter is brain dead.' We were dumb-struck and went to the Lord flabbergasted to the max. We had to gather ourselves. Are we going to let this circumstance overwhelm us or stand up inside of it and get our hopes up and believe that God can do amazing things, even miracles."
Georgia's in pre-school, but the numerous daily seizures and vomiting that she experiences still cause problems.
"Even today," said Veach, "she was supposed to go to school but had a lot of spasms and bad seizures last night. So, we couldn't take her to school, and she still struggles with the same things that she's struggled with her whole life.
"But she's going to school now, and it is government funded. She has five classmates and four teachers, and it's pretty cool. It's in a special education setting at a public school. She goes for four-and-a-half hours a day, five days a week. I'm loving it. It's special."
Left: John O'Korn (left) and Chad Veach // Top Right: Georgia Veach on her first day of school // Bottom Right: Chad Veach kissing daughter Georgia, 4, while wife, Julia holds her.
Georgia has a way of touching those around her.
"She is a really happy kid," said her father. "She smiles, she coos, she laughs and loves the wind in her face. The majority of the time, she's really pleasant. She only gets irritated when something's going on and messing with her mentally. The majority of the time, she's very sweet.
"She's the best. We love her; everyone loves her."
Georgia now has two brothers. Winston is 2 1/2, and Maverick is eight months old.
"They are just too much fun," said Veach, "and both of them are perfectly healthy and doing very well."
There's no cure for Lissencephaly, but there's been no stopping Georgia.
Veach said, "I think that, even though we haven't seen the results of a healing, we've seen the result of peace in our home and strength, and now God using this young man (O'Korn), a prolific athlete at Michigan, reminding me that God can do anything. We just let God use our pain to encourage people.
"I can't say enough about John. He's an unbelievably bright young man and very tender-hearted. We're really excited he landed at the University of Michigan, and it's a great fit with Coach (Jim) Harbaugh. He's at the Big House, and it's a big deal, and we're happy for him. I'm following the Wolverines now."
O'Korn is amazed by Georgia.
"She's four years old and has reached twice as many people as I'll ever dream of reaching in my life," said O'Korn.
His sister, Kalyn Runk, softened his heart to those with "special needs."
"My sister went to Penn State and majored in family development," said O'Korn, "and in her whole life since college has worked with special needs children and adults. She lived for a year or two in a house with special needs adults and took care of them. My heart's kind of been open to that."
O'Korn and some of his Michigan teammates met Jesse, a boy who tight end Jake Butt first connected with, while in Orlando for the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. His mother texted O'Korn about bringing Jesse to see the Wolverines again during their spring practices held for one week in Bradenton, Florida. O'Korn contacted Zach Eisendrath, the director of operations and communications for Harbaugh, and set up the visit.
O'Korn, like many of the Wolverines who regularly frequent the University of Michigan's Mott Children's Hospital, will continue impacting the lives of children who touch their hearts.
Georgia Veach will stay in O'Korn's life, lifting his spirits and reminding him about what matters most in life every time he glances at that "G" tattoo. He prays and recalls the cute little girl "who loves the wind in her face," and has been the wind beneath the wings of him and so many others.
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan quarterback John O'Korn leaned back in a lounge chair at Schembechler Hall, raised both arms to stretch, and interlocked his fingers while talking. A tattoo on the inside of his left wrist became visible, and I asked about the significance of the small letter "G" that turns out being the only ink he has on his body.
"A friend of mine's daughter has a brain disorder," said O'Korn. "It's called Lissencephaly. She's four years old. Her parents are friends of mine from Los Angeles, and they noticed this disorder shortly after she was born.
"Her name is Georgia, and the 'G' is for her. She has a developmental brain disorder. (Doctors) told her parents, Chad and Julia Veach, who are pastors in Los Angeles, that the brain is almost completely flat. They spoke at my church in Houston a few times, and through mutual friends I got to know them."
O'Korn played at the University of Houston in 2013 and 2014, throwing for 3,117 yards and 28 touchdowns as a freshman, before transferring to Michigan last year. He sat out the one season required by the NCAA and is competing for the starting job in 2016 with Shane Morris and Wilton Speight.
"John is the best," Chad Veach said in a phone interview with MGoBlue.com. "The church he was from in Houston, Lakewood Church (pastored by Joel Osteen), is a church we're close to. We went there and met Johnny, who is close to their staff, and we got to hang out, get meals and spend down time together. So, we really got to know him."
Veach, 36, has been a pastor since he was 19, following his father into the ministry, and now leads the Zoe Church in West Hollywood, California. The congregation has grown to more than 800 members in eighth months, and Veach's calling has led him to impact a number of entertainment and sports stars.
Singer Justin Bieber, actress Ashley Benson and basketball players Tyson Chandler and "reportedly" Kevin Durant are among the approximately 150 friends Veach estimates now having "G" tattoos in honor of Georgia.
"There are NFL football players and NBA basketball players with it," said Veach. "Justin Bieber has it. Some models like Hailey Baldwin have it. Golfers like Rickie Fowler have it. Kevin Durant reportedly has one, and I'm close to Kevin. Some of our friends say he's got it. Tyson Chandler has the 'G' tat."
Sweet little Georgia is more than 2,000 miles away, but O'Korn has her and her parents on his mind. I asked him what he thinks about when looking at the "G" tattoo.
"It's a constant reminder of a couple things," said O'Korn. "First, they told Chad and Julia she would never respond to them in any way or communicate or walk. She's four and still in a stroller and can't walk, but they said she couldn't hear what they would tell her. They have video, though, of them telling her things and her smiling.
"She has the most beautiful smile and is obviously responding to them and feeling the love of her parents. So, it's a reminder that..."
O'Korn paused for a moment and stared at the tattoo.
He continued, "It's a reminder that no matter what the circumstances are, what the diagnosis is, God always has the final word. It's also a reminder to pray for her and anybody else I know who is sick or hurting. It's a reminder of her parents, two people who have dealt with a lot of adversity. I can't imagine getting that diagnosis and how faithful they've been. They are two of the most beautiful people I've ever met and are a constant reminder that everything's going to be okay.
"They all had a huge impact on my life. Obviously, to get a tattoo, their daughter's initial, my lone tattoo, is something special. I thought of getting it for her six months prior to getting it, but said I would wait six months, and if I still wanted it, I would get it. I didn't want to get a tattoo on impulse. I was back home in Pennsylvania last summer and got it with my brother, who also got a tattoo."
I relayed those comments to Chad Veach.
"Wow," he said, "That's not a small thing, having a young man of his caliber mark his body for your family and your daughter. That's not an ordinary thing to me. It's a very special big deal."
His daughter has impacted many with her spirit and story of perseverance since the Veaches were told of her rare mental challenge. Lissencephaly has less than 2,000 recorded cases.
"The tragedy for us is not just the diagnosis but having a first-born baby and feeling the enjoyment and excitement of that," said Veach. "You bring her home, and you digress from there, and it is kind of shocking. When we left the hospital, we were told, 'She's a healthy baby.'
"She has smooth brain, which means that for whatever reason, her brain just didn't form. So, you have this beautiful, four-month-old daughter, and you hear the doctor say, 'We're so sorry. Your daughter is brain dead.' We were dumb-struck and went to the Lord flabbergasted to the max. We had to gather ourselves. Are we going to let this circumstance overwhelm us or stand up inside of it and get our hopes up and believe that God can do amazing things, even miracles."
Georgia's in pre-school, but the numerous daily seizures and vomiting that she experiences still cause problems.
"Even today," said Veach, "she was supposed to go to school but had a lot of spasms and bad seizures last night. So, we couldn't take her to school, and she still struggles with the same things that she's struggled with her whole life.
"But she's going to school now, and it is government funded. She has five classmates and four teachers, and it's pretty cool. It's in a special education setting at a public school. She goes for four-and-a-half hours a day, five days a week. I'm loving it. It's special."
Left: John O'Korn (left) and Chad Veach // Top Right: Georgia Veach on her first day of school // Bottom Right: Chad Veach kissing daughter Georgia, 4, while wife, Julia holds her.
Georgia has a way of touching those around her.
"She is a really happy kid," said her father. "She smiles, she coos, she laughs and loves the wind in her face. The majority of the time, she's really pleasant. She only gets irritated when something's going on and messing with her mentally. The majority of the time, she's very sweet.
"She's the best. We love her; everyone loves her."
Georgia now has two brothers. Winston is 2 1/2, and Maverick is eight months old.
"They are just too much fun," said Veach, "and both of them are perfectly healthy and doing very well."
There's no cure for Lissencephaly, but there's been no stopping Georgia.
Veach said, "I think that, even though we haven't seen the results of a healing, we've seen the result of peace in our home and strength, and now God using this young man (O'Korn), a prolific athlete at Michigan, reminding me that God can do anything. We just let God use our pain to encourage people.
"I can't say enough about John. He's an unbelievably bright young man and very tender-hearted. We're really excited he landed at the University of Michigan, and it's a great fit with Coach (Jim) Harbaugh. He's at the Big House, and it's a big deal, and we're happy for him. I'm following the Wolverines now."
O'Korn is amazed by Georgia.
"She's four years old and has reached twice as many people as I'll ever dream of reaching in my life," said O'Korn.
His sister, Kalyn Runk, softened his heart to those with "special needs."
"My sister went to Penn State and majored in family development," said O'Korn, "and in her whole life since college has worked with special needs children and adults. She lived for a year or two in a house with special needs adults and took care of them. My heart's kind of been open to that."
O'Korn and some of his Michigan teammates met Jesse, a boy who tight end Jake Butt first connected with, while in Orlando for the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. His mother texted O'Korn about bringing Jesse to see the Wolverines again during their spring practices held for one week in Bradenton, Florida. O'Korn contacted Zach Eisendrath, the director of operations and communications for Harbaugh, and set up the visit.
O'Korn, like many of the Wolverines who regularly frequent the University of Michigan's Mott Children's Hospital, will continue impacting the lives of children who touch their hearts.
Georgia Veach will stay in O'Korn's life, lifting his spirits and reminding him about what matters most in life every time he glances at that "G" tattoo. He prays and recalls the cute little girl "who loves the wind in her face," and has been the wind beneath the wings of him and so many others.
