I’ve written my share of heart-tugging sports stories during my 13-plus years as a reporter. But Wednesday night at Chicago Christian was different.
I was assigned to cover Chicago Christian’s volleyball match with Aurora Central Catholic, but the main storyline revolved around
. I talked with Katie’s mother, Barb, earlier in the day via phone. All the lectures and exams in college can’t prepare a writer for the moment when a person starts crying on the phone.
Barb Vree shed a few tears during our 15-minute conversation. Her adopted daughter, Katie, was a vibrant and healthy teenager full of dreams on June 4. Katie started experiencing numbness on a flight to Guatemala to help an orphanage.
Her initial diagnosis was paralysis with the need for full-time care due to a virus attacking her spinal fluid. Vree’s battle has taken a physical, mental and financial toll on her family.
Sometimes you gain respect for a person, coach and team
. That’s what happened on Wednesday. Aurora Central Catholic and Chicago Christian looked like one team to the undistinguished eye, both wearing black T-shirts to support Katie’s cause and help raise money. Every player from both teams hugged Vree during the introductions. Signs were plastered on one wall welcoming Vree back to the gym for just the second time since her diagnosis.
I got a few minutes, along with well-respected and long-time Southtown Star reporter Tony Baranek, to talk with Vree. Her hand shook uncontrollably with nervousness, but she displayed her toughness by answering a few questions.
Watching Vree’s parents, Barb and Dan, handle the fundraiser with such dignity and character was a sight to behold. Barb thanked me and Tony several times for coming to the match and supporting Katie. As a parent of two young children — 3 and 6 years old — I can’t imagine handling a trying situation with the strength shown by Barb, Dan and Katie Vree.
By the way, Barb ended our morning phone conversation with a piece of advice to me: Hug and kiss my kids. Barb, I followed up on your advice.
Hopefully, one day Katie beats the odds and comes back to the Chicago Christian gym without the aid of a wheelchair, capable of walking to the pregame introduction line with her teammates. My bet is on Katie.
You can read Katie’s blog at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katievree. Donations to help with Katie’s care can be sent to the following address.
Calvin CRC
c/o Katie Vree
10056 S. Central Ave.
Oak Lawn, IL. 60453
Northwest volleyball:
An overlooked trend this year has been the number of talented teams from the far west and northwest suburbs. Last year, Cary-Grove rose to the No. 1 ranking in the prepvolleyball.com poll for several weeks before losing to Lyons in the Class 4A state title match. Three teams from the northwest suburbs reside in this week’s Tribune Top 10. Marian Central Catholic (No. 6), Huntley (No. 9) and Cary-Grove (No. 10) reached the rankings, and DeKalb has a rising team with several young and talented players.
