A good story from Peoria

Like the title says, here is a good story from Peoria.

For a day, O’Brien was Payton’s place

Payton McSimov can’t do some things his classmates take for granted. However, the 9-year-old is also doing things the average person doesn’t get to enjoy.

At 2, Payton was diagnosed with Costello Syndrome, an ultra-rare disorder that can make everyday life painful and challenging beyond measure. But the ailment can’t deter Payton, who happens to be a big-time sports fan.

Last year, the Bradley basketball team brought Payton in for a practice. On Friday, he was the guest of the Peoria Chiefs for their game vs. Lansing.

If I had a heart -- and were capable of feeling anything, this next part might get to me.

Throughout Friday’s locker room journey, pregame warm-ups and a drive around the diamond, Payton’s smile was infectious. It shined through despite his pain, which will hopefully be remedied by hip surgery on Aug. 6, his sixth major operation.

“It’s good he’s so tough, because doctors say he should be screaming,” grandfather Ralph Sutton said.

It is a toughness that Kristie believes came from above.

“I think God made him with this resilience because He knew he’d be faced with so many obstacles,” she said.

When told about his upcoming surgery, Payton had but one concern.

“He said, ‘Me still play Wii?’” Kristie said, referring to the Nintendo game system that allows Payton to live his sports dreams on TV.

Yep. Good thing I'm heartless.