Alana Vawter was always a multi-sport star. As a seventh grader, she was the standout player on her volleyball, cross country, swimming and softball team. She was headed for a starry future at Staley High, and then Stevens Johnson Syndrome struck.
Vawter came down with Stevens Johnson in November of 2013. The condition causes extreme blistering of the skin and mucous membranes, and led to very labored breathing and painful rashes on her body. Stevens Johnson took her away from the sports that she loves … but not forever. She was back competing within a month, first in volleyball and then in other sports. While not 100 percent, she eventually reached the high school peaks predicted for her, beginning with a fall softball season where she was the team’s lone freshman starter.
“The sports itself inspired me because it was like that’s what I love to do and so that motivation helped me to recover faster because you have to return to your sports,” Vawter told Kansas City Fox affiliate WDAF.
She made it back. Now she’s still just getting started toward what she can achieve.