Mia Valle '20 Recruiting Profile

Boils on my face, stomach and legs. Hair falling out, puffy face, body pain. Something was not right. I was approaching the end of AAU season during the spring of 2014 playing for the Monarchs during a Super Slam tournament in New Jersey. Something was definitely not right. My parents and I couldn't pinpoint what was wrong with me. I wanted to move, I wanted to run fast, I wanted to score but my body just would not allow me to do what my mind was screaming to do. I felt like I was a 90 year old in a 12 year old body. My dad knew immediately something was wrong. 

Two days later after a visit to the doctor's office for an exam and blood work the call came from my pediatrician. My thyroid was the problem and my body was shutting down. I have Hashimoto's Disease which is an autoimmune disorder brought on by my underactive thyroid. I remember being so afraid, not even sure what a thyroid was or what it did but boy did I learn fast. The initial call was followed by a lot of confusion on my parents part since no one in our family ever suffered from any thyroid related problems.  Endocrinologist appoints followed by more blood work.

Why me??? That's all I kept saying to myself during that time but I have learned the answer to that question. Adversity brings STRENGTH!

Here I am 5 years later living a happy and healthy life. I have to work harder than most, but that's ok. It's what makes me Mia Valle. When my team is done with our workouts, I still go home and run an extra 3 miles on the treadmill. My doctor says I need a minimum of 20 minutes of cardio every day. I have to keep my body moving so my body can continue doing what I want to do - play basketball. I will do whatever is needed to continue living a healthy and productive life. I have one body and one life to live and I intend to live it to the fullest!