[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 RECOGNIZING ALLISON DICKSON FOR HER BATTLE AGAINST MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

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                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 1997

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize a brave and 
bright young lady from my Texas congressional district. Allison 
Dickson, a Temple High senior, is at the top 3 percent of her class 
academically and has served as a class officer. Recently, Allison was 
selected as the 1997 Temple High School Football Sweetheart.
  Allison has accomplished this and so much more despite the 
debilitating effects of muscular dystrophy. The disease has taken her 
mobility, but she has kept her heart and soul. I want to enter into the 
Record some special thoughts written by this exceptional young lady:

                          (By Allison Dickson)

       He asked me a simple question. I'm sure he has no 
     recollection of this day or of how much it meant to me. I 
     often think back and remind myself of the five words that 
     made me realize something very important about who I am.
       Two rows over in my freshmen U.S. history class sat a boy 
     with a quick smile and calm manner. I had only known him for 
     a few weeks, but we often discussed sports and school like 
     friends normally do. One day, with the innocence of a young 
     child, he asked, ``Allison, do you play soccer?'' Just for a 
     moment I didn't know what to say. I quickly glanced down, 
     smiled at him, and shook my head no. He had given me the 
     greatest compliment I could ever receive. I realized he 
     didn't see me as a person in a wheelchair. To him, I was his 
     friend Allison who could do anything.
       I have muscular dystrophy. This disease has taken away my 
     ability to walk but nothing more. Everyone has a weakness, 
     but determination, hard work and a strong faith makes nothing 
     impossible. My achievements, both academically and in 
     leadership roles, have helped me truly believe this.
       Of course, I have heard the random rude comments people 
     say. I have felt the effects of prejudice first hand. All of 
     this has made me a stronger and more compassionate person.
       I am different from others, but different is not always 
     bad. This boy's trivial question helped me understand that I 
     am not so unlike most people. He had looked past my 
     disability and saw the real me.
       Jim Valvano, a former basketball coach and sports 
     announcer, had been diagnosed with cancer. In a speech, he 
     told people cancer could not touch his mind, it could not 
     touch his heart, and it could not touch his soul. He then 
     said that those three things would carry on forever.
       Look into my eyes and you will see a mind yearning for 
     knowledge and truth. Look into my heart and you will see a 
     burning passion for life and love for others. Look into my 
     soul and you will see an enduring spirit that touches the 
     lives of others and will carry on forever.

     

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