CHILDHOOD is precious, Andrea Jaeger knew this, so - even though she was precocious enough to enter the rough-and-tumble world of pro tennis at the age of 14 and reach the final of Wimbledon while still in her teens - off the court she tried to remain youthful. Whether she was playing tag with the ballkids at the L.A. Forum or riding her mini-bike around Hilton Head Island, S.C., Jaeger was committed to enjoying herself.
"But I also knew that my turning pro at such a young age was a choice," she says. "An then, when I'd visit children's hospitals while on the circuit, I'd see people who had choices taken away from them - kids losing legs or having cancer."
In 1990, her career ended by a shoulder injury, Jaeger's concern for children led her to create the Kids' Stuff Foundation, a non-profit organization that brings children with cancer or other life-threatening medical conditions to the Rocky Mountains for an all-expenses paid week of adventure, including hiking, rafting, skiing and - of course - tennis.
This month, Jaeger will realize a 10-year-long dream when the Kids' Stuff Foundation opens The Benedict-Forstmann Silver Lining Ranch, a $6 million, 18,600 square-foot, three story facility housed on 10 acres of prime Aspen, Colo., property.
"Before (we finished the ranch), we relied on people and hotels to house our program. Given the medical needs of our kids it was tricky. If they're sick, we have to get a blood count, or an IV drip, and nurses would have to work in awkward conditions. Spending the afternoon in a Motel 6 while everyone else is out hiking isn't too much fun."
The ranch includes five rooms for the kids, medical facilities, a library, dark room, Jacuzzi and a number of small touches that Jaeger believes transform the pain of illness into the joy of living. The children's rooms are painted with festive colors, a contrast to the austerity of many hospitals.
And while tennis aided Jaeger's quest - she spend most of her $1.4 million of career prize money to launch the foundation - the game isn't the focus of what the ranch offers. "Though we always play when the kids come, they don't play that much," she says. "Chemotherapy hurts your motor skills, so when we looked at what the kids needed, we realized a pool was going to be more helpful than a tennis court."
But most amazing of all to Jaeger has been the support of the tennis community. "I have more friends in tennis than when I played," she says. John McEnroe was one of Jaeger's first backers, and he has been such an active supporter that the new facility features a John McEnroe Music Room. Gabriela Sabatini has sponsored attendees for five years. Pam Shriver, Monica Seles and Lindsay Davenport have donated portions of their earnings, as have Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Jim Courier.
Jaeger particularly enjoys brining kids to pro tournaments. "At first it was odd for the pros to see these bald kids hanging around," she says. "Tennis can be an insulated world. But then I think it helps us all appreciate what we have. Let's have fun, because we don't know how long we'll be around. If you see the courage and wisdom from the kids and it doesn't brush off on you, you're not human.
