Portsmouth Boy, Boston Children's Hospital Patient, Gets Celtics Game Ball

Eight-year-old Drystan McClain of Portsmouth, R.I., attended the Boston Celtics game against the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 9, courtesy of Amica Insurance. He met Celtics legend Tommy Heinsohn, watched courtside as players from both teams warmed up and enjoyed the game from floor seats at TD Garden.

McClain even wound up on the Jumbotron during one break in the second quarter. But the highlight of his night came before the game started, as he watched his favorite Celtics, Jeff Green and Kelly Olynyk, warm up just a few feet away.

“This experience has been awesome – I can’t even explain how much this means,” said Katee McClain, Drystan’s mother. “He hasn’t stopped smiling since he got here.”

McClain, a patient of Boston Children’s Hospital, attended the game with his mother and uncle, Geoffrey McClain, as guests of the Amica Game Ball program, through which Amica Insurance has donated $218,000 to Boston Children’s during the last six seasons. Amica also donates balls autographed by Heinsohn to patients at Boston Children’s during each of the home games featured on Comcast SportsNet New England throughout the year.

McClain received his game ball from Vince Burks, communications director at Amica Insurance, in an on-court ceremony before the game.

“We’re proud to once again partner with Boston Children’s Hospital and Comcast SportsNet New England for the Amica Game Ball program,” Burks said. “It was our pleasure to spend the night with the McClains, and Drystan’s excitement made it all the more special.”

McClain has a cyst on his brain that has been causing seizures since he was three years old. He is a patient in the neurology/epilepsy department at Boston Children’s Hospital, and even though he takes 19 pills a day to manage his seizures, he doesn’t let his condition slow him down. Drystan, who loves sports, has won two straight state wrestling championships in his youth program. He even fundraises for Boston Children’s, asking for donations in lieu of birthday gifts to help as many kids as he can.