Athlete of the Issue: Madison Smith’s journey with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and softball

20 sports

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE

Madison Smith’s journey with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and softball

Freshman Madison Smith is just getting started on her adventure in softball, and is determined to not let her physical differences stop her from achieving her goals. Smith has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) which causes her to have weak muscles all over her body. SMA is caused by a lack of spinal motor neuron (SMN) protein which affects t h e nerves that

control the body’s muscles. This protein is necessary for muscle development and movement. Due to SMA, Smith uses an electric wheelchair on a daily basis. Because the wheelchair is electric, Smith is able to go over 5 miles per hour, assisting her when playing softball. Although she has lived with SMA all her life, she won’t stop living the best life that she can. Smith says that softball has always been a part of her life and she would like to keep it that way for a long time to come. “Both of my parents played softball so I grew up playing at the softball field with them,” Smith said. “When I was nine my neighbor, Stephanie Sharkey, invited me to one of her practices. Her coach asked me to come out and practice with the team and he invited me to join the team.” Although not on the same team as Sharkey anymore, Smith is currently thriving on Florida Power Black, a South Florida travel softball team, which made it to states in December. “I now play for Florida Power Black. I taught myself to slap, which is a form of hitting where you walk in the box,” Smith said. “I hold onto my bat with one hand, and the other [hand] I drive my wheelchair with.” M a n y teammates of Smith have been exceedingly proud and happy for her since the day she joined the team, including Kyleigh Hope. “She brings encouragement like no one else on the team,” Hope said. “She always knows what’s going on and exactly what to say to encourage the team. I’m so proud of her progress and how she keeps progressing despite adversity. She tries so hard at whatever she does and isn’t afraid to keep trying if she fails.” After a series of accomplishments at Florida Power Black, Smith has decided to take on the CCHS softball team. She will be trying out for the school team in January 2022. “Madison is in full uniform, out there with her peers,” Madison’s mother Jennifer Miller-Smith said. “She’s right there in the mix of things. She fully practices with her team, she just can’t play in the games due to rules and regulations.” With Peer Counseling, rigorous classes and the possibility of the school softball team coming into her schedule, Madison really is achieving so much as a freshman. “Something I would want people to know about those with physical differences playing sports is that just because they have a physical disability, doesn’t mean that they should be treated any differently than others,” Smith said. The future is shining bright for The Lariat’s athlete of the issue, Madison Smith. BY JENNA HEDRICK

Photo courtesy of Madison Smith