in·spire(inˈspī(ə)r/verb
- fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
This is exactly the word to describe 19-year-old Lauren Hill. Lauren Hill was your average high school athlete who had dreams like every other athlete does, to play the sport they love in college. But for Lauren, her road to get there was a bit more difficult than most others.
While a senior she was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, otherwise known as DIPG, and inoperable form of brain cancer. But Lauren wasn't going to let this get in the way of achieving her dreams. She stated, "I want everybody to know I never give up." and she did just that.
In order to make sure that Lauren was going to be able to play in her first college basketball game, the NCAA agreed to move the game up two weeks, so that she would be able to participate in the game before the cancer wouldn't allow her to anymore. She was able to score the first basket of the game, which resulted in the entire crowd, along with the opposing teammates clapping, and cheering for her.
Sadly after she participated in four games and made five layups, Laurens coach announced that she would not play in any future games but would stay on the team as and honorary coach. As her cancer started to take over her life, she still continued to go out and inspire people, raising over one million dollars for the pediatric cancer research. Lauren eventually lost her battle to cancer on April 10, 2015, but she will never be forgotten for her courage, hard work, and determination she showed.
No comments:
Post a Comment