2 weeks Ago
When I was 12, my mom suggested I try wheelchair basketball at the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, which is called the Center. I resisted at first. After all, I was already playing able-bodied sports like soccer and basketball.
Little did I know that this moment of hesitation would lead to a gold medal and a life transformed. My journey began much earlier, when I was just 5 months old. Bacterial meningitis claimed my left leg, and although doctors initially saved my right leg, it required numerous surgeries.
At 9, I shattered my ankle playing soccer. A year later, I made the difficult decision to have a below-knee amputation on my right leg to increase my chances of walking with prosthetics. Despite my initial reluctance, I decided to give wheelchair basketball a try at the Center, a Tulsa Area United Way nonprofit partner.
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Stitt-linked dark-money operation spends $240,000 to oust Supreme Court justices State Board of Education agenda put on hold after AG punts outside attorney Berry Tramel: No stretch to say that the Sooners were better with Joe Jon Finley From the moment I entered, I found a community that would change my life forever. I quickly grew to love the sport, my coach and my teammates. The Center became more than just a place to play sports; it was a gateway to a world of possibilities I had never imagined.
At the Center, I felt accepted and understood. Playing wheelchair basketball helped me build confidence and make lifelong friends. It also opened many opportunities, including my journey to playing at a collegiate level and competing internationally.
This supportive environment set me up for experiences I never thought possible. The pinnacle of my journey so far came when I won a gold medal with the USA Women's Wheelchair Basketball Under 25 team in Thailand. Competing and winning for my country was a dream come true, an honor not just for me but for all the people who helped me achieve so much in my life.
These days, I'm pursuing my bachelor's degree in special education with plans for a master's in psychology. I first shared my story in a 2017 United Way video when I was 13. Today, at 21, I still Live United.
I believe deeply in the United Way's mission because I've lived its impact. That 2017 campaign video gave me the platform to share my story and meet influential people in Tulsa. It was nerve-wracking at first, but knowing that so many people wanted to hear what I had to say was incredibly rewarding.
Throughout my journey, my family has been my rock. My mom attended every doctor's appointment, surgery and hospital visit. As I grew older, my sister also became a big part of my support system, always cheering me on.
They taught me the importance of borrowing hope when times get tough. To anyone facing challenges, I say: Stay true to yourself. You will find your people and those who support you.
And this is the power of the United Way and its partners. They don't just help; they empower. They don't just offer services; they offer possibilities.
Supporting the Tulsa Area United Way annual fundraising drive that benefits nonprofits like the Center gives people like me resources we never would have had access to before. It provides us with a community where we can play sports, grow and become the people we've always wanted to be. So, I urge you: Support the Tulsa Area United Way.
Together, we can ensure that everyone in our community has the chance to thrive, to overcome challenges and to reach for gold — whatever that means to them..
