I was born on August 7, 1997 to my parents who already had two boys. They tried relentlessly to get me to play with Barbie dolls and learn ballet, but my heart belonged to sports. I loved baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and hunting. And I still do.
However, when I was younger, my mom said I got faked out and passed on my left side. She also said I’d have sleeping spells after a random crying fit. She took me to the doctor to find out what was wrong. It turned out that I was blind in one eye.
The imbalance of vision causes severe migraines that make me vomit and nearly faint. As I grow older the vision in my good eye gets worse and worse. You know that to play sports or to aim a gun that you need good vision. So I was really depressed when they put a patch over my good eye, disabling me and preventing me from my favorite things.
Then I had a realization. I was watching the news when they started talking about a boy who was completely blind; yet he was a piano virtuoso. It open my eyes. Maybe there was a way I could do my favorite things. I started joining sports teams again, starting with soccer and basketball. I found it a lot easier. It may take a little extra work, but I manage.
Now, instead being last pick in gym I get to be the first choice. I play up to par as the boys on the football team and we run our miles together. Through this I have become stronger. I’m so active, I’ve got an NBA level of shin splints. I love being active again, and promise to not let any obstacle impede on my journey to success.
1 comment
gretchen
Beth – what an inspiring story! I’m so glad you are back to doing things you love.
I know first hand what it’s like to be injured severely and be told your career in sports is over. I broke my back my sophomore year and had to stop playing sports. doctors told me I’d likely be in a wheelchair before I was 30. I’m well past that age and doing just fine. I play sports with my kids and can pretty much do whatever I want.
Keep going strong!