Wichtig » the American team is so dominant that if not for th

FOR AS LONG as I can remember, I have loved the game of basketball. It has been a therapeutic tool for every difficult situation Ive encountered. Basketball was light on a dark day and a friend when I felt lonely. My freshman year of high school, I made the school basketball team. I practiced for hours every day to improve my skills. One day while playing, I was accidentally hit by a teammate. Thinking that I might have pulled my groin, I kept on playing. The pain increased until I realized something was not right. I decided to tell my mother.She took me to the local emergency room, where the doctor discovered two tumors on an ultrasound. Within a few days, I had a cancer diagnosis. I will never forget the day I was told I had this awful disease.Soon after my diagnosis, I started a journey I never thought possible. It included surgery and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy made me feel as if I were not myself. I could not do any of the things that were natural daily activities. I couldnt walk, run, eat or get out of bed without assistance.That was the lowest point of my life, physically and mentally. I would think to myself, You just have to make it through today. Just worry about today. I feared that I wouldnt wake up to see a new day. I felt as if I were dying.Two Make-A-Wish Georgia volunteers came to my house to talk to me. I shared my story and my passion for basketball. I shared my love for the Miami Heat and my favorite player, LeBron James.I had my mind set on only one wish: to meet LeBron James and the Miami Heat. It was a long shot, but that was my only dream and true wish. Make-A-Wish Georgia contacted us often to assure us that they were doing everything possible to grant my seemingly impossible request.After patiently waiting, the day finally arrived. As I entered my house, I was surprised to find an ESPN TV crew. Two Miami Heat dancers greeted me at the door and handed me a CD. I put the disc into the player and was amazed to see LeBron James inviting my family to fly to Miami. My excitement could not be contained.My family and I flew to Miami. At the American Airlines Arena, I toured the locker rooms and training facility. We watched live practice. I had to pinch myself as I watched LeBron shooting baskets a few feet from me.After practice, head coach Erik Spoelstra called my name. I ran to the team huddle and met the players. Then LeBron invited me for some one-on-one playing time. For more than an hour, my favorite sports figure and I played basketball together.We talked about my high school and my basketball team. I asked him questions and threw alley-oops to him, and we had a 3-point contest. Later, LeBron presented me with several gifts to remember our time together.The next day, I was courtside watching a game next to the Miami Heat bench and cheering my team on. I was able to greet the players as they left and returned to the bench throughout the game.As if everything I had experienced were not enough, LeBron came over and presented me with his game shoes and autographed them for me after the game.A few weeks later, the Heat won the NBA championship and invited me to join them for their celebration. This was the wish that kept on giving. I will never forget that weekend. Not only was it an amazing experience to play my favorite game with the NBA Champions, but also it was closure from the most horrible time of my life.During my treatment, I constantly asked my mother, Why me? Why did I get cancer? After that incredible weekend in Miami, I found myself asking, Why me? What did I do to deserve such an amazing gift?Make-A-Wish Georgia truly changed my life. I am and will forever be grateful for the way they transformed my lifes worst experience and turned it around to become one of my most cherished memories.Under Armour Wholesale Canada . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Discount Under Armour Canada .S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA. http://www.underarmoursalecanada.com/ . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. Under Armour Sale Canada . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. Under Armour Clearance Canada . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen.RIO DE JANEIRO -- Gabby Douglas watched Aly Raisman stick the dismount on the beam, then rose from her seat and gave her American teammate a big hug.Never mind that Raismans success in Olympic qualifying Sunday ensured that Douglas couldnt defend the all-around title she won in London four years ago. Douglas had shaken off a sub-par performance in Olympic trials and quieted critics who were convinced she didnt deserve to make this team.For her, that was enough.Im not disappointed at all, she said. I have no regrets.Douglas finished third behind Simone Biles and Raisman. Only two gymnasts per country can compete in Thursdays final, leaving Douglas out of luck. The divide between Douglas and Raisman was slim. She was edged by less than a half a point.Douglas was attempting to become the first repeat all-around winner in nearly 50 years. She took time off after her triumph in London and put together a sometimes rocky comeback in which she switched coaches three times. Yet shes always had a knack for putting adversity behind her when it mattered, and when national team director Martha Karolyi rewarded her with a spot on the five-woman team, she immediately responded.Douglas was solid in all four events, but really sparkled on the uneven bars. She earned a score of 15.766 -- good for third overall and earning her a spot in the event final later in the games.I just really wanted to do a good bar set and really swing and just flow and stick the dismount -- the polishing touch, she said.She completed the beam without a hitch before watching Raisman do the same. It was a stark improvement from the Olympic trials where Douglas fell off the beam not once, but twice, leaving Karolyi to defend the decision to put her on the team.I think Gabby just proved that she has a place on this team, Karolyi said. I know our decision was very much questioned.dddddddddddd But Ive known Gabby for many years and I knew we could make the necessary improvements that she would be a great asset to the team.Douglas beamed when told what her coach said, but the comments were certainly no surprise to the 20-year-old. Shes been bolstered by the encouragement of Karolyi for years.She said: `I believe in you, and you can go out and do it, Douglas said. At the end of the day, that means so much coming from the head coordinator of gymnastics. `Cause shes very precise.She was adamant that proving people wrong wasnt the motivation behind her work on Sunday.I just wanted to go out there and believe in my abilities and use the talent that I was given, she said. I wasnt concerned with anything else.Douglass teammates raved about her performance and lamented that she wouldnt get a chance to compete for all-around gold. The top 24 finishers advance to the all-around finals and the American team is so dominant that if not for the rule the entire five-person team would probably advance.I hate the two per country rule ... I wish that they would change it but I dont think that they ever will, Raisman said. Thats the rules. Youve got to respect their decision, but it is heartbreaking.However theres no reason to feel too bad for Douglas. Shes almost certain to collect another gold medal with the team the overwhelming favorite to win it all. Shell get another chance at a medal in uneven bars. Perhaps thats part of the reason why Douglas took Sundays setback so well.I would have loved to go out there and defend my title, but right now Im just rejoicing and so far this has just been an amazing experience, she said. Theres nothing to be ashamed about. ' ' '