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Give thanks and play
By Garland Cooper
On Thanksgiving it is important to reflect on all the things in our lives that we have to be thankful for.
I'm thankful for a lot of things, but this Thanksgiving I'm thankful for people who never give up and overcome the odds.
I'm thankful for Robyn Shelton.
Robyn Shelton fielded a softball with ease at third base and moved swiftly towards first while firing the ball. One would never guess that one of her legs was prosthetic.
When Robyn was born she did not have a fibula or growth plate at the end of her tibia. Her parents made the decision to amputate her left leg instead of subjecting her to a life of surgeries, constant hospital visits, and painful recoveries.
She was given every reason in the world not to play sports, but regardless of skeptics, she proved everyone wrong and ultimately became starting third baseman for the Varsity softball squad at Highland High School in Utah.
"I tried softball and really loved it," stated Shelton. "My mom really rooted me on and I had many friends behind me," she continues, "But there are always people who make fun of me; I just shake it off."
Lucky for Shelton, while she was born with a disability, she also was born with will power, determination, and strong support from family and friends. While there were always those that doubted her ability, Shelton was just another player on the field and never seemed to be setback by her disability.
"I tried to never let anything set me back," Shelton confided. "You have to live with what you've got."
To the naked eye, Shelton's disability could easily go unnoticed. In fact, Shelton herself confirmed that most people, unless close to her, can't tell that one of her legs is a prosthetic. Although this may be true, Shelton had to do many things and went through hard times that few people could possibly understand.
"When we had to run a lot my coach would see me limping and sometimes pull me out of the workout; it could get really frustrating." She continues, "A lot of times the prosthetic would rub my leg and it would be bleeding and have blisters when I got home from practice."
With all the wear and tear, Shelton received a new leg every year, and often it would need to be adjusted and would break. Fortunately, when Shelton approached Shriners Hospital with the desire to play softball at a more competitive level, they were able to offer her a leg that allowed her to become more mobile and play sports. While this new and improved prosthetic helped with the upkeep of the leg, Shelton still faced difficulties and low moments on the field due to her disability.
"I trip a lot and once I tripped while running the bases during a game; I felt terrible," stated Shelton. She also experienced a game in which her leg broke during warm-ups and had to rush to the hospital in order to temporarily mend the break.
Shriners was not just a place to get her broken leg fixed; it was a forum in which Shelton was able to influence other children with disabilities and their families.
"Sometimes they would have me go and talk to kids in similar situations," Shelton stated. "I would tell them to never let anyone tell you who you are and what you can or cannot do," she continues, "You can do anything you set your mind to; don't let others cut you down."
Shelton didn't motivate others strictly in the confines of the Hospital. She always was rooting on her teammates and knew just what to say if one of them was having a bad game or in a slump.
"We were always encouraging each other. I'd tell someone who was slumping to keep trying and to do her best because that is all you can do." Shelton continues, "If you know you did everything you could, you should not have any regrets or doubts."
This Thanksgiving, Shelton must be thankful for the sport she loves and has been able to play, despite her disability. Although she has faced much adversity, she has always had friends and family who have cheered for and supported her throughout her career.
"I don't get discouraged by what I have, no matter what. I have always had friends and family to cheer me on," stated Shelton. She goes on, "I think it has even helped people around me to be less judgmental; just because I'm disabled does not mean I can't do what they do and can't experience what they experience."
Despite the adversity she has faced, Shelton has been the one helping others and influencing them in a positive way. She will continue to help others now that she has graduated and is pursing a career as a nurse.
"I have just always wanted to help others and I really love talking to people," said Shelton. "Being a nurse allows me to do both."
Personally, this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for people like Shelton who inspire others and prove that anything is possible if you can believe in it enough.
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