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GR Teen Returns to Tennis Court with Prosthetic Leg Page 2
Copyright © 2010 Fundoctor.org
Submitted by Aaron
"The sixty days following surgery, through the end of January 2007, we were really in the midst of the darkest days we went through," said Jerry, men's varsity tennis coach at Aquinas College for the past 17 years. "Then, finally, last spring, about one year ago, we started to become hopeful. We shifted from thinking about death to post-living with the amputation. It was almost ironic when that became the issue.
"Ash's survival was the most important thing, and if the amputation helped increase the odds of that, it was a small price to pay."
Support was overwhelming. The family, well-known in local tennis circles, received numerous donations. Several charity fundraisers were held, including one at Orchard Hills Tennis Club that raised $25,000 and included items donated from Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova.
About a month later, Ashley's chemo treatments were completed, and she was hitting a tennis ball from a wheelchair. She ended up missing the entire season her junior year.
She returned to school last fall. If the girls tennis season had been held then, as it was in the past, Ashley would not have been ready to play. She was not used to moving on her prosthetic leg.
But the girls season was switched to spring and boys tennis moved to the fall as part of the court-mandated switch to comply with Title IX.
"I lost four players because of the season change, but the one great thing is that it gave Ashley eight more months to adjust," said Matt, Northview's tennis coach. "She just never gave up. I always thought she would come back. Ashley cannot do all the things that we can. Her movement is not what it used to be.
"But for a girl with cancer who lost a leg, she is doing very well."
As a freshman on the varsity, Ashley was nicknamed "Smashley" by the upperclassmen for her powerful ground strokes. She can still hit it hard.
"If the ball comes to her now, watch out," said Keelia, a senior captain and first doubles player. "I was on the team with her when we were both sophomores. She played and was this incredible player who made incredible points, and it is so much fun that she is back. She is a big part of this team.
Added Annie, a junior, who has teamed up with Ashley at No. 3 doubles this season: "Ashley got back out there. It shows how all of us can really do what we have to do. Things are not so bad. She never complains and is very positive."
Hendrick's determination is almost as important as her artificial limb in her comeback.
"This was Ash's decision," Jerry Hendrick said. "All winter long, she dragged me out to the club to hit balls. There is not a girl this spring who worked harder at tennis than Ashley. She worked non-stop at getting her stroke back."
She is playing tennis again. But she is not the same girl outside or inside who played in the summer of 2006.
"This all has just changed my perspective on life," Hendrick said. "It does not last forever, and things can change in an instant. I realize now that what is important is my faith, my family and my friends."
Instead of going to college to play tennis, Hendrick now plans to attend Cornerstone University and go into youth ministry.
"I kind of feel called to be a youth pastor," she said. "I actually am happy I went through all of this. It has impacted me so much. I have become more vocal about my faith. I want to be able to share that with others."