Gracie has proved that great things come in small packages. From living all over the United States to currently living in a small town in northwest Nevada; she has not let anything stand in her way. From the only female to qualify from her high school for state swimming, to overcoming obstacles for a nationwide program for siblings of patients with chronic medical disorders. After joining her family nearly nine years ago, she has attended six different schools in five states, and that has not derailed her. Gracie has maintained her 4.0 GPA while taking college courses in a dual enrollment program at her high school, Oasis Academy College Prep.

Gracie is an accomplished swimmer, with regional and state qualifying times, and plans to swim at the collegiate level. The accomplishment that Gracie is most proud of is moving forward with a sibling group. Gracie has secured support from several national organizations to support siblings for childern with chronic medical conditions. Many times the sibling are not recognized within a family’s journey while their sibling has a condition. This has a profound affect on not only the child with the condition, the family, but the sibling as well. Gracie wants to recognize their journey by giving them a hand-made glass bead to represent their journey. For instance for having to ride the ambulance with their sibling, or being left alone with the neighbor. This gives a way for the sibling to share their story.

Gracie has been deeply affected by several things. Number one, her adoption at eight years old giving her a unique insight to addiction, loss, and the right to chose joy each day. The next being meeting a fellow military child, with some serious medical issues, who has defied the doctors time and time again. This has inspired Gracie to become a pedatric nurse with a general focus in transplants and cancer. The final inspiration is her brother, who has also defied doctors expectations. Even at the worst of times, her brother has found the light in the darkest situations.

This is Gracie!