12-year-old Georgia boy plays baseball after 23 surgeries

Andrew Clemons was born without stomach muscles (Fox5)

Though doctors advised her to terminate her pregnancy, Jenni Clemons kept her baby and now, in spite of multiple health problems, he’s an active pre-teen playing in a competitive travel baseball league.

Andrew Clemons, 12, of Marietta, Georgia, was born with Eagle-Barrett Syndrome. One problem of the rare disease, also known as prune belly syndrome, is poor development of the abdominal muscles, which can cause delay in sitting and walking. Many infants born with the syndrome are either stillborn or die within the first few weeks of life from severe lung or kidney problems, according to the National Institutes of Health.

"I was pregnant, they told me terminate the pregnancy, he's not going to make it," Jenni told Fox5.

Seven years ago, Andrew had a kidney transplant from his grandmother and he’s undergone 23 surgeries in his young life. His mother estimates he’ll need another transplant in about 7 years and hopes she’s able to donate. Andrew also has cystic fibrosis.

Now, the boy plays baseball for the East Cobb Pride.

"I think if anyone would doubt that kid," Victor Moreno, one of East Cobb Pride's coaches, told Fox5. "I'm probably one of his biggest critics, and he shows us every day he can."

To Andrew, his accomplishments aren’t exceptional: he’s just like any other kid.

"My life is normal," Clemons told Fox5. "To me, it's normal. [To] everyone else, it's not."