Other Overcoming Obstacles Special Needs

OVERCOMING LIFE’S CHALLENGES

When I was 8 months old, I was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a disease where cancerous tumors form in your eyes. Doctors removed my left eye, but saved my right one through chemotherapy and radiation. My one eye let me see the beauty in this world, including my parents and twin sister. Over the next twelve years, the cancer came back eight times, and we beat it each time. But when I was 12, it returned with a vengeance and the treatment failed. The only option was to remove my right eye. My parents asked what I’d like to see in my remaining time with sight. I’d always been a huge fan of USC, so I wanted to see one more Trojan game. Coach Pete Carroll heard about my story and made me part of the Trojan family. It was a dream come true and one of the last things I did before doctors performed the operation. Being blind obviously changed everything, but my parents encouraged me to continue pursuing my dreams. In high school I became restless as a bystander, and knew I had to find my way back on to the football field. I tried out for my high school team and became their long snapper. I also played golf, skied, surfed and went on mission trips. When it came time for college, I had my sights set on one school: USC. Shortly after getting into USC, the football program invited me to walk on to the team as a long snapper. For two years, I trained every day on and off the field to become the best long snapper I could be. In this year’s opening game against Western Michigan, I got my first chance to play. Running onto the field for the first time was a moment I’ll never forget. Fortunately, I made a good snap and the kick was perfect. There was an incredible roar and outpouring of support from my teammates and the fans. It is something I’ll treasure for a lifetime. The biggest reason I overcame the adversity I faced and kept a positive attitude was my faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. At an early age, I learned life brings adversity and challenges—we’re all going to have them. What makes Christians different is how we face our challenges. The cancer took my eyes but not my will to go on living. If you can’t see how God works things out, then I think you’re the blind one.

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5 Comments

  • Reply
    TERRY BOBERSKY
    October 2, 2018 at 2:34 pm

    PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME BROTHER. JESUS IS WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!! IF YOU DON’T QUIT….GOD WON’T QUIT.

  • Reply
    Cora Perez
    October 2, 2018 at 3:14 pm

    Hallelujah! Praise You Jesus ! You are the Champion in our life. Glory to Your Name…..

  • Reply
    paul choo
    October 9, 2018 at 10:03 pm

    God love cover and surround us with food from the sea, lsnd to the sky and beautiful parents, brothers and sisters from your insight.
    Thanks for your sharing to appreciste and enjoy what we have despite any loss.
    God bless us with love??? John 3:16

  • Reply
    Jacqueline brown
    August 28, 2021 at 8:47 am

    All we ever need is Hope!.. .. and Strength ..both of which come through Faith and
    Our Lord Jesus Christ. I’ve had my share of life’s ups and downs. We all learn through each gain or loss- the joy or dispair is temporary .the lesson will always always be to find God in the midst He celebrates our every good and bad & all evil in between . Being Still – seeing His works come through so many of our daily moments in the 24 hours we live each day…the kindness, the roude tears, or joys hands, voices, deeds of others, shortcomings all good all evil there is a moment of opportunity awaiting to see HIM and HIS steadfast and everlasting love NEVER EVER LEAVES.
    be blessed to see it today. to feel HIM today, Be Still
    In Him.
    Jacqueline Brown

  • Reply
    Daniel Richard
    November 19, 2021 at 5:01 am

    Our Almighty is Alive

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