“Just A Kid” Living Out Her Dream #JustAKidFrom
This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/POWERADE. #spons
Imagine if you will growing up watching your older sisters play a sport that your whole family loves. With a dream that one day that you will also be able to play it, you spend hours with your sisters practicing outside, being a goalie for all their kicks.
Waiting for that day you will be able to play for your school’s team. Then to be told, the first year that you are eligible to play that you can’t because you were diagnosed the year before with Epilepsy. Heartbroken you sit and watch your classmates play soccer determined that one day you will be out there on that field playing for your school.
The second year you are eligible comes around, and you hear the most wonderful words from your doctor. You are cleared, and you can play soccer for the school this year. But avoid all headers.
This is the story of my youngest daughter, Gracie. She has faithfully attended her sisters’ games waiting patiently for the day that she could play on a team of her own. Her years of defending the goal for her sisters are paying off. She is living her dream. But this dream did not come easily to her. It came with a total lifestyle change- eating right, getting enough sleep, taking her medicines and making sure that she reads all the clues that her body gives her.
It has been a struggle for sure. There were days that she would cry with my arms wrapped around wanting to know why she couldn’t be like others and play sports. Wanting to know why she was different? The smile that she now sports on her face is worth all the pain that she went through. Her journey to play soccer wasn’t an easy one, but it was one that has taught her that if she wanted to achieve something she would have to work at it.
Just like every other athlete has a story, this is Gracie’s. With that said Gracie is realizing her potential that is in all of us. She just had to work harder to achieve it. She has learned that no matter what we achieve in life – we all start in about the same place- wanting to play. There is always an obstacle that we need to overcome. After all, we all were #justakid from somewhere. Powerade believes that when athletes are motivated, they can reach their full potential and one day become the athletes they admire. Just like Gracie looks up to her older sisters, Maddie,
And Mikaela
and also Carolina Railhawks player, Connor Tobin.
And what better way for an athlete to fuel their dreams of being #justakidfrom then to drink POWERADE. It is available for a low price and comes in a variety of flavors.
And right now at Walmart when you purchase two 8-packs of 20 oz. POWERADE, you can go online and submit your receipt to order a FREE custom “Just A Kid” sports bottle. This offer is good until April 4, 2016, or while supplies last.
So hurry and grab your POWERADE and then submit your receipt here. So what are waiting for? After all, we are just a kid from somewhere!!!! If you miss out you can also represent your somewhere with custom “Just a Kid” apparel that features where you’re from here. All net proceeds from the sale of “Just a Kid” apparel goes to the Boys & Girls Club of America.
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I am so glad your daughter is able to play a sport she loves! You must be very proud! Thanks for hosting #HomeMattersParty
Awww, mama. One of the hardest things as a parent is to see their child struggle — not just through the physical setbacks, but emotional as well. It looks like you’ve done an amazing job! Kudos for getting her through this, and helping her get to her goal!!!
Love your post! Congratulations and keep on living the dream…alongside your daughter!
So happy to hear that your daughter persevered and did not give up. It is also great that you supported her in whatever her decision was to be. Of course, you and the doctor took her health into account, first and foremost.
I remember when I was still I kid, I’d love to play the piano but just couldn’t get it right. Gracie should be an inspiration for all of us to dream big and not let our physical limitations stop us.
What a great story! I love that you daughter got to play the sport of her dreams.
Awww, this is a great story! The kids that have to work harder are the kids that will be stronger, better people. It is hard, but they will succeed. 🙂 Thanks for sharing! #HomeMattersParty
There are many other kids like Gracie. They face struggles but find solutions and get through them in the end. Those who are into sports should try Powerade.
awww, nice to see that! I played soccer in high school but I was never very good! Glad to see others are pursuing their athletic dreams 🙂
xo , Bee
Thanks for letting me co host the fab #homematters party!
Aww Your girls are so awesome! I don’t know many girls who are into sports, especially teenagers but sports are a great way to teach kids about winning, losing and being fair! #HomeMattersParty
It is so inspiring and wonderful to hear that she was cleared and got to play the sport that she wanted to so badly. I think it is awesome when people don’t allow themselves to be stopped by their disabilities or diagnosis.
It’s great that you give her the option to live her dream. Proud of her for what she’s doing! 🙂 #HomeMattersParty
It’ so hard to watch your kid want something so bad and then have someone tell them that they can’t have it. Having a sister with epilepsy myself, I know what it’s like to see her trapped by her own body, not able to do things other kids can. I’m glad your little girl is getting to live her dream, finally!
Love this post! Glad that your daughter has been able to do something that she loves, even though it hasn’t been an easy path.
Way to go Gracie!! I know what its like to have health issues hold you back from living out some of your dreams! Its amazing what some healthy changes to your diet and sleeping habits can do! I’m experiencing that for myself right now and its so nice to feel “normal” for a change!