Sophie Strong

Written by her Coach, Jim Meduna asking for prayers for his player.
Last September, I decided to coach a 14U softball team at Elite. The team was an established team so it made the decision really easy to say yes. This past fall, we started our journey and lets just say...this team is full of talent but more importantly, great young ladies who have been brought up very well.
As the fall season went on, it was noticed that one player, Sophie V, was rotating her head excessively when she was batting and throwing. The rotation got worse and she eventually she started seeing double.
Well as of last week, Sophie V was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric brain cancer called a brain stem glioma. As a FYI, this is the type of brain tumor that Lloyd Carr's grandson had.
As of today, Sophie is doing OK and not in any acute distress besides the intermittent double vision.
Sophie has been accepted into a research trial starting in January, which will include radiation and other methods to hopefully address this issue. Additionally, her tumor is the smallest they have ever seen and this is the earliest that they have ever seen this type of tumor. So there is definite positives on her side.
So what I ask for is prayers. Lots and lots of prayers. This is a kid that always has a smile on her face and works non stop to make sure everyone around her also has a smile on.
I know she will be strong through the journey but any help is appreciated.



I am Sophie’s hitting instructor and I just wanted to do something to try and help her and the family as they start their road to recovery!