News services recently picked up a fascinating story that I think everyone should read!
Little 8-year-old Kayleigh Petersen, from East Brunswick, New Jersey, stunned a packed crowd of loyal hockey fans of the New York Rangers–including the Rangers themselves! And with good reason!
Shortly after Kayleigh was born, she had a life-saving liver transplant after her parents were told she has Tyrosinemia Type 1, a rare genetic disease that attacks the liver and kidneys and can lead to neurological damage.
I can only imagine how devastating this must’ve been, how her parents must’ve rallied through their fears, to get Kayleigh the medical care she needed. And it makes me wonder how they learned along the way, to raise Kayleigh with such a positive self-image.
I mean this little girl is growing into a powerhouse of spunk and determination!
Kayleigh and her parents have worked together and raised her to pursue the sports of her dreams which includes dance and ice hockey. So when the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Garden of Dreams Foundation graciously agreed to help make Kayleigh’s dream to play hockey for the New York Rangers come true, they hit the puck outta the park.
As announced on the Rangers’ website:
“Petersen becomes the first female in franchise history to sign a one-day contract with the team. ‘She has tremendous skills and we felt her strength and character are through the roof,’ said Adam Graves, Rangers Hockey Operations.”
So despite a life that started with harrowing surgery eight years previously, this little spitfire girl skated into the spotlight and showcased her hockey skills on the ice!
Kayleigh rocked it to the crazed cheers of adoring fans—and the New York Rangers!
What courage! What tenacity! Now THAT’S something to cheer about!
Source: giphy.com
