Parker Hanson (Photo courtesy of Parker Hanson)
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KFGO) – A tough start to the week turned into a very positive one for Hawley, Minnesota native Parker Hanson.
The 24-year-old is in his second year at Augustana University in Sioux Falls. He woke up Monday to find a thief broke into his vehicle and stole his backpack containing his prosthetic arm and all of the arm attachments worth an estimated $15,000.
Born without a left hand, Hanson says he’s never looked at it as a disability and has played baseball since he was a kid, including varsity at the Hawley High School. He’s now the pitcher for the Augustana Vikings.
Hanson says the theft was a hard hit, but after posting the crime on Facebook he was overwhelmed by messages of support.
Tuesday, someone dropped the backpack off near his home. It contained the attachments but not his prosthetic arm. Insurance may help but many people wanted to start a GoFundme account to cover the cost. Because he’s an NCAA athlete he can’t accept donations until the end of the season but that could change because of his situation.
This is Hanson’s last year playing college baseball as he continues to work toward a master’s degree in sports administration.
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