Sydney Liles

“I play softball and I’ve been playing since I was in the fourth grade. I started playing county softball during fourth grade and I made my first double play when I was in the fifth grade. I just got hit by a pitch and we went back out into the field. I was playing third base. I was really upset because it hurt really bad. They hit the ball and I don’t remember catching it. It was just in my glove and I tagged third base. It had been the first double play and I’ll never forget it. When I was in the tenth grade, I was diagnosed with Arthritis in my feet. Running, throwing, and hitting all became a large challenge for me because everything was throbbing. If I had to run bases or run after a fly ball, it was all extremely painful. But, I continued to play while I was diagnosed without medication and in May of my sophomore year, I was formally diagnosed and given medication. After being on that for about a year, I was told that I am Arthritis free. I’m finally able to play without any pain and I’m about to start my senior season.”