On the eve of girls shot put competition at the U.I.L. State Track Meet, a young lady from Westbrook, Texas was cheering on the best boys shot putters in the state. Tomorrow morning she will make history, "I will be known as the only girl in Westbrook history to be at state shotput", said Madison Brewster.
Off to the side of the boys shot put pit, Brewster and her father discussed the possibilities of winning a state championship gold medal tomorrow morning. Her dad encouraged her and told Madison he's proud of her,"I've gotta get low and push as hard as I can", Brewster said.
Giving her best effort alone should win a gold medal because Madison has a disorder she combats daily, a disorder called "it's Hereditary hemorrhagic talangiectasia, which is hard for people to understand", said Brewster.
H.H.T. is a vascular disorder which takes its toll on the body. For example, Madison used to faint a lot and suffers migraines, "daily", said Brewster. She also said H.H.T. caused, "tingles in my arm and I can't walk at times".
Somehow she battles through the struggles and pain and also blocks out any thought that competing in multiple sports could cause an aneurysm or blood clots at any moment.
I asked Madison does it ever cross her mind that competing in basketball, tennis, and track could end her life. Brewster said, "no, I've put it (that thought) as far in the back of my mind as I can. Whatever I'm doing, I give it my all".
It's that drive Madison's mom, Angela has learned to accept since Madison was diagnosed with H.H.T. eight years ago at age 10, "people judge us and say she shouldn't be doing this or doing that, she's missing her senior trip to be at this state track meet", said Angela Brewster.
Madison is truly an inspiration; regardless if she wins a state title Saturday morning in the shot put, she has given her mom the ultimate Mother's Day gift, "I know she inspires me everyday", said Angela Brewster.
The girls shot put competition begins Saturday morning at 8:00 AM on the UT campus.