My Daughter Is My Hero

I can count on one hand the number of people I consider my heroes. One of them is my 12-year-old daughter, Keziah.

I interviewed her a few weeks ago, and I wonder if any of her views have changed since then. For two weeks, I watched her play tennis in the heat at camp for several hours a day. For some, that’s no big deal, but for people with Fabry disease, it is painful. 

Today, she played in her first tennis tournament, and my heart simultaneously broke and filled with pride as I watched her work through the pain.

Keziah, 12, competes in her first tennis tournament. (Photo by Eunice White)

I know what it’s like to subject oneself to the brutal heat of summer while dealing with nearly constant pain in the hands and feet. I know what my daughter was feeling. Seeing tears trickle down her cheek brought tears to my eyes.

My son, Keegan, 6, who also has Fabry disease, dries his sister’s tears. (Photo by Eunice White)

Perhaps for the first time since my daughter’s diagnosis, I became angry that she had to have this disease. Thoughts swirled around my head as I watched her play. Why can’t she be like a “normal” kid? Why does she have to suffer? Why does she have to hurt and have her energy zapped? Why did I have to pass this on to her?

As these thoughts ran through my head, I reminded myself that she was given this disease for a purpose. I don’t know what that purpose is, but I know the Lord will use it to mold and shape her into who she was made to be. Maybe she will have more compassion toward others who suffer, or build more endurance and perseverance, or perhaps it will drive her to having a closer relationship with her heavenly father.

Time will tell how this disease will affect her in the future, but I’m confident she will grow and learn from life’s difficulties. Isn’t that when we tend to do the most learning? When life is easy and carefree, we aren’t pushed to see what is on the other side, to see what else we are capable of.

I am thankful for my daughter and her courage to continue on when circumstances were painful and hard. I am thankful for her reminder to me to never give up, even when the going gets tough. I am proud to call my daughter my hero.

Keziah ends the day with a smile. (Photo by Eunice White)

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