Since Thanksgiving is around the corner, I want to talk about what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my mom. My mom, Christie Hentz, has always been the biggest inspiration in my life. She never treated me like I had a disability which helps me so much. She never made me believe I had limitations and always wants me to keep pushing. For that, I am the person that I am today. I am the girl who doesn't allow my disability to define who I am as a person. My mom always has been so supportive of my dreams and always there when I need her the most. My mom was in a car accident which injured her back and she has to use a cane for support. She still doesn't allow that to stop her from being herself and being the best mom ever! She is the strongest person I know and I hope I be like her in many ways when I grow up.

I am thankful for my friends. In my other article, I talked about how thankful I am for my friends. The friends I have made here at Furman, have been a true blessing. I just love how we are always there for each other in our time of need and we push each other because we know we can do better. We support each other dreams and express how proud we are of our accomplishments. God blessed me with friends that I will be able to grow up in a positive way.

I am thankful for life. When I was about 15 years old, I had pneumonia. My disease, Ullrich Muscular Dystrophy, causes me to have low lung functions, so getting pneumonia come easily to me. I was in the hospital trying to get better when the doctors pulled my mom to the side and told her I was dying. My mom said she refused to believe that, and God already healed me. The doctor still tried to convince my mom I wasn't going to make it through the night. I was scared because I felt my body slowly giving up. I didn't want to go sleep that night because I didn't know what would happen. The next day, I woke up and saw I made it through the night. At that moment, I promise myself that I would take the second chance that God given me and make the best out of it. Now I always reach for the top. I don't allow myself to settle of less. Yes I have a disability but I am going to live the best life ever no matter what. I thank God everyday for life and giving me a second chance to live it the best way I can.

While Thanksgiving is coming, think about what you are thinking for. What makes you keep going everyday and makes you happy? Make sure you are always thankful in life and everything that's in it.