I am Just A Girl from South Dakota, living a life with cerebral palsy.: I thank my God for you!

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Phillip 1:3

In our lives there are a few people that make a big impact on us. I would like to tell you about 2 of those people in my life. Mr. Jim Phillips and Ward Van Guilder

Last summer morning swim at camp!

The first is Mr. Phillips. For most of us, growing up with siblings, we want to do everything they do, but that can be hard when you have a disability. My siblings were very much into sports, baseball/softball, basketball, football, and the swim team.
As young as I can remember, my older brother, Jason, and my twin sister, Brooke, were on the swim team. I remember going to their swim meets and wishing I could join them. It looked so fun. I have a little memory of Brooke and Jason practicing at the Deadwood Rec Center, but the one thing I remember Jim Phillips always teasing me that

he was going to throw me in. I would cry and be scared of him, because I was terrified of the water. I was so terrified that if someone got me into the water I would nearly drown them! My mom and dad said this was because when I was around 3, my dad took Jason, Brooke, and me to the Deadwood Rec Center. Brooke and Jason were swimming all over the pool. I guess I thought I could be like them, and when dad turned his back, I jumped in. I don't remember this day, but for it was the day fear of water came to me.

Mr Phillips being Mr. Phillips!!

After that day, nobody could get me into that water without a fight. In 5th or 6th grade, Jim Phillips took on that challenge!! I began the Adaptive Swim Program with him. I would sit on the steps in the 3 foot end and not move. I told him I was not getting off the steps and there was NO WAY, he was getting me to the 10 foot end. I was wrong, he got me to the 10 foot. I remember I would start by going only to the 5 ft, clinging to the wall. then eventually I made it to the 7 foot. I hung out there for a long time. I remember thinking "This as far as I will go, because I can't touch." I have no idea how he ever got me to the 10 feet, but a year later, I joined the swim team with Brooke!!!! I remember that first year riding on his back to

1997? The best team ever!! Thank you accepting me to your team!

get to 10 feet, then hanging on the wall for dear life!

In my 9 years of being on the swim team, I got to compete in the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. I was never the fastest swimmer, and always the last one to finish the race, but that didn't matter. I conquered my fear and was part of a team with my sister. All because Mr. Jim Phillips didn't give up on me!!! A little teasing and a lot of threats, but because of him, I fell in love with swimming.

Me, Ward, Noah, and Krrie!! Seeing me off back to Orgeon

The second person that has made a big impact on my life, is my friend Ward. I met Ward in 8th grade at Deadwood Middle School. I had to do physical therapy in school instead of gym class. Of course I didn't like this, because it made me feel different. When I first met Ward, I was kind of a bratty 8th grader. I didn't want to go to PT, and really didn't want to do my exercises. Ward would come to school to work with me. One day he told me that, for therapy, we were going to walk down to Goldbergs for ice-cream. I was so excited, of course there was one rule, I had to walk my best down there and back! It was a hard walk, but I got my ice-cream!! I had to do therapy all my life, but this was the first time, I enjoyed it, and realized this guy was kind of cool!! ;)

In 9th grade, Ward wanted me to use a cane in school. I was very against this! He reason was that I was falling a lot. But as a freshman in high school, this was not cool! (I still tell him this!!) Now as I am older, I see how he was right!!! I been trying to use walking sticks more. Ward is very good at letting me call and email him, when I have something going on with my body.

up at Lake Tahoe! Love these peeps!

I have kept in touch with Ward and Lancette, his wife, for 20 years now. He has always encouraged me to keep exercising. When I decided to try to walk my first 5k, I called Ward. He told me he knew I could do it. I have walk two 5k with Ward and his family in two years. Since there is only outdoor pool, here at camp, I have also fallen in love with walking. (with my walking sticks, or course.)

Ward and Lancette are like a brother and sister to me. They have let me come down to visit their family. I have seen there kids grow up and feel part of their family!

Begining of the race!! Ward, Lancette, Noah, Bri, Amber, Derick

and Kryie, (who walked the entire 3 miles with me!!)

I am so thankful for Mr. Phillips and Ward in my life. They have both taught me not to let my disability or fears, get in my way. Even though I probably told the both "no" a time or to, they didn't let me give up!! They both have a special place in my heart!