The attention, publicity and media focus on Lauren Hill’s courageous battle will take a back seat today just for a moment when the ball is tipped and the operator starts the clock. What all this actually began as will finally come true for a young woman who simply wanted the joy of playing in a college basketball game. That wish wasn’t just born out of her illness, medical challenges and tragically unfair future.
While I have never met Lauren Hill, I know that she, I and millions of others who have ever put on a uniform, felt the ball in our hands and experienced the joy that basketball can bring to those who play…always have dreams. Every little kid hopes to put on a school uniform one day. Every junior high player wants a spot on the varsity and those who carry the passion of the game scholastically dream of playing at the next level.
If all goes as planned for Lauren, that dream will come true today. And for a moment, that will be all that it’s about. It won’t be about 10,000 fans holding back tears. It won’t be about tweets, tributes, videos and dedications of celebrities and athletes. Just for a moment it won’t even be about creating that all so important awareness and support for the fight against DIPG. It will be about a basketball player and the achievement of a goal. Of course for Lauren it will be about competing in the game itself as well. After all, she’s a baller.
When the final horn goes off her bigger battle will move to the forefront again. Whether or not she’ll get another opportunity to suit up once more will be up in the air but her health is an ongoing day to day situation. However, for just one moment today she’ll put it aside and feel the exhilaration of the game itself…and that’s all she was hoping for.
If you would like more information on Lauren’s situation and how you can help, follow the link below.
Wendy Parker looks at the impact of Lauren’s situation on the women’s basketball community.
