Emmeryn's Gymnastics Training

My 10-year-old daughter has faced many challenges over the years but has never given up. She's been working very hard to become better at gymnastics and has now been asked to join a competitive team. The challenge she faces now is money. We just don't have enough to cover coaching and competition fees. She's continuing to push herself out of her comfort zone by sharing her story and asking for help.

Here is her story:

When something is important, you have to keep trying to find a way.

I love gymnastics!

I started when I was four.

When I was five I got very sick with arthritis.

It took a long time to get better…

…but when I did I started taking classes again.

The doctor said it's good for me.

And I loved it!

I practiced all the time.

I wanted to do more classes,

but my mom said we didn't have the money.

So I practiced all I could at home.

When my arthritis flared up

I couldn't use my hands.

So I practiced with just my legs.

When my bestie said I wasn't good enough to do the talent show with her

I tore the application to shreds and cried.

But I kept practicing.

One day my bestie told me her team was going to a competition across the state!

I wanted that too!

To be part of a team!

To travel!

To compete!

(Even though the idea of everyone watching me made me pretty nervous!)

So I kept practicing.

And I was getting better!

I really wanted to add a second class each week.

But we just couldn’t afford it

So I kept practicing at home and at the gym on Saturdays.

Then, one Saturday, my coach did something she’d never done before.

She handed me a folded paper with my name on it.

I didn't know what to think...

“Congratulations! You're invited to join the Xcel Team!”

I couldn’t believe it!

I was so excited!

…but I tried not to be too excited…

Because it cost a lot of money.

I didn’t know how I could do it.

My coach said sometimes people and businesses sponsor gymnasts on the team

So they can train and compete

When they don't have enough money

It makes me nervous to ask,

but it’s important to me to compete with the team.

I’m trying to find a way to do it.

So I'm asking if you would help sponsor my gymnastics training this year.

Please.

And, thank you.