February 22, 2010

The saddest story I ever heard told was about a girl from Kentucky. Before anything went wrong, she was the fastest runner in state history. She won every championship, like Phelps in the pool. Senior year, she got knee problems and had to miss winter season. Then, in the spring, she came back, and without a step of training, won her final championship in the mile.

She could have gone to any college on a full ride but turned down every offer. The knee pain was too much. She let it heal and, following her heart, went to school in Hawaii. A pretty blonde, She picked up cheerleading there and enjoyed it. Life was good. Hawaii cheered in big competitions and that stoked her old track fire.

Then at one competition, she fell 15 feet from the top of the pyramid. Landed on her spine. She could feel burning in her fingers... and in her legs, nothing. Doctors said you'll never walk again. And you won't be able to have children. She stared back at them and refused to believe it. Refused to even cry. Yes I will, she said.

I never shed one tear, her story goes, until the third week in the hospital. A nurse came into the room and turned on the TV. The Olympic trials were on. America's fastest women were racing the 1500 meter. That could have been her, she should have been there. And regret burned deep long enough for the sobs to take over.

But she was strong and she did recover. And after she told us her story, she slowly, awkwardly walked over and hugged her two kids.