Amanda was a happy healthy 13-year old in March of 2007. She loved sports and was an outstanding athlete. She was on the cross country team, basketball team, and was captain/catcher for the softball team.

On March 23^rd 2007, while running warm-up laps for softball practice, her legs began to tingle and then went numb. She stumbled and fell to the ground in excruciating pain.

Amanda had suffered a spinal stroke, which is extremely rare. So rare that diagnosis was not confirmed until May 2007. The stroke left her paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair.

Showing great courage and strength of character, Amanda returned to school in the fall of 2007. She ran for President of the Student Council and won. In her speech, she stated “don’t vote for me because of my situation, vote for me because I am the right person for the job.”  She is also an honor student, photographer for the year book, member of the pep band, and an anchor for the school TV news.

She now sits on the sidelines, watching her friends play the sports she loved so much. But, not wanting to be left out she became the manager for the girls’ basketball team, keeping the score book, and encouraging the players.

It’s over 1 year since the stroke, softball season is upon us. Amanda doesn’t leave home without her mitt. She is manager for the team. From her wheelchair, she throws balls to the new team’s catcher and gives her advice.

She never misses a school dance and goes to the roller skating rink to hang out with friends. She is a typical 14 year-old - except she is in a wheelchair.

She dreams that someday she’ll walk again.