Ty

"Perserverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did." Newt Gingrich

My nephew, Ty, is such a loving and compassionate young man. I kept him when he was a baby and we would dance around the kitchen floor. He has always been such a lovebug.

His junior year of high school, he had a serious injury in soccer season (lacerated liver and bruised kidney) It kept him out for the rest of the soccer season and part of the wrestling season. He worked so hard to get back, and did, placing 4th in the PIAA State Wrestling Championships.

His senior year, he was a tremendous leader and captain on the soccer team, making Team MVP, League MVP and All State. We were all hoping for the State Title in wrestling. He was so focused, captain of the team and just a joy to watch. Making it to States again, was a dream of his and he did. Unfortunately, the trip seemed like a nightmare. He was injured his first match and could not continue. He was taken by ambulance to the Trauma Center at Hershey Medical Center. The serious injury to his neck had him wearing a neck and chin brace for several weeks. He should have gone home to rest, but he went back to the tournament the next day to be there for his teammate.

Reality hit when a wrestler he had formerly beaten several times, placed second. The wrestler that he had tied in Regionals was the State Champ. Ty should have been the one of the podium, and we all knew it. He has overcome it all and is now a freshmen at Division 1 George Mason University in Virginia. He is a member of the wrestling team, starting at 6AM every morning in the weight room. We are so proud of him and hoping and praying for good things to come for Ty.