Gracie Doran Goes on Spring Break

Spring break started for me on April 1. I got to go to my first school dance that night. When I asked my parents if I could go, I didn't think they would let me because they are a little overprotective. 

I thought I'd give it a try and was so surprised they said yes.  I went with my friend Hannah, and we met other friends there.  The Laguna Niguel YMCA has the dance every month, and only the kids from your middle school are allowed to go. We danced and had a lot of fun. My mom hung around and spied on me, but she left after a while. Moms just need a little time to let go!  

For spring break, we went to Palm Desert. We always go and meet our friends there and have a great time. My favorite part is swimming in the pools and going down the waterslide. I really love to swim. 

One of the first things I did when I got out of Healthbridge Rehabilitation Hospital was start aqua-therapy.  I was very lucky because one my sister's friends worked with stroke patients and volunteered to help me rehab in the pool.   Swimming makes me feel free.  In the water I feel like I can do anything. 

Before my stroke, I competed on a tumbling team and did cartwheels, walkovers and back handsprings. I can't do them any more, but I can do them in the pool. I don't limp or lose my balance in the pool. I am just like everyone else. When we were in Palm Desert, we swam every day, even when it rained one day. 

We went out to dinner and ran into six other families we knew from Laguna Niguel.  We even saw my Aunt Kathy and cousin Thomas there, even though we didn't know they were going to be in Palm Desert.   

We also celebrated my brother Michael's 10th birthday that week. I thought a lot about when I was 10. I had my stroke that year. I worry about my brother because I know that what I have is a very rare disease, but not rare in my family. We don't know if he has it or not. 

I  once asked my mom if my kids could have it, and she said it is possible. It really made me sad to think of anyone else having to go through this. I did not know what to say, so I wrote a poem about it after my mom told me.  It's called, "I Wonder."    

I Wonder 

I wonder if my child will have the same thing that I have.

I wonder if my child will have the same struggles that I have had to go through.

I wonder if my future family will handle it the same way as my family does.

I wonder if I will be as strong as my mom.

I wonder if I will live long enough to have a family.

I wonder a lot of things.

But I dream these things will not happen.

I dream that my child will not have this.

By Gracie