For a typical dad, Father’s Day is a summer Sunday afternoon when the rest of the family showers him with gifts and affection. For retired Army Maj. Jeff Hall, Father’s Day is different.

A Father’s Day Memory

One thing that Hall and his family enjoy doing together is watching minor league baseball. They are fans of the Quad Cities River Bandits in Davenport, Iowa. One of his fondest memories of Father’s Day occurred in 2013, when the family got general admission seats to a game, which meant they could sit wherever they wanted.

But a few days before the Saturday game, Hall had a spinal tap. He developed a major headache that wouldn’t go away. The pain caused him to move more slowly. By the time the family arrived at the game, all of the good seats were taken. Hall said he felt responsible and was depressed because he thought he had ruined any chance of a great experience. That was when his daughter Courtney Hall, then 18, took over. She walked right up to a staff member.

“My dad has M.S. and has just had a spinal tap,” Courtney Hall told the River Bandits employee. “He wanted to bring me to the game for Father’s Day but we weren’t able to get to good seats. He needs a back rest. Is there anything you can do?”

The next thing the Halls knew, the River Bandits had provided them with a suite, complete with a waiter and refreshment bar.

The next day, Jeff’s wife, Sheri, and daughter Courtney took him to the emergency room, where he was given a blood patch to help stop a leak of cerebrospinal fluid from his spine.

Now, Courtney recounts the memory by saying “Dad, do you remember when I got you a blood patch for Father’s Day?”