Originally appeared on Texas News Today
Texas athletes head to Tokyo for a chance to win a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. Gillian Williams is a sitting volleyball player on behalf of Team USA.
William’s left leg was amputated five years ago due to Ewing’s sarcoma, an invasive osteosarcoma. Although it was a big adjustment, the athlete said the surgery did not debilitate her, but rather ignited her underneath to achieve what she sometimes thought was impossible.
Gillian Williams played volleyball throughout elementary school. It was her first year at the University of Texas Lutheran that changed everything. Williams was able to finish the season but never returned to the court due to severe pain in his left femur. Doctors later attributed this pain to a rare form of cancer.
“I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2016, the semester following the freshman season,” says Williams. “I also realized that I would probably never play volleyball again.”
Her new team has become the Maze Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, led by Dr. Aaron Sugarski.
“He assured me and my parents that I would do whatever I could to make sure I was living the best way,” Williams said.
Williams received more than 20 chemotherapy doses.
“(Chemotherapy felt like a weekly oversleep with my) best friend because (the nurse) was there, especially like my night nurse,” Williams said. .. “(At night) you will be more worried about the treatment.”
Her fight against Ewing’s sarcoma did not end there. Williams and her doctor agreed that surgery was needed to provide the best quality of life. At MD Anderson in Houston, she underwent rotoplasty. This is a surgery that removes the cancer and keeps it mobile.
It was during her stay in the hospital that she received a sports magazine and saw someone similar to her.
“I started to find out more about sitting volleyball and what it really is, because at that point I probably decided not to play again,” Williams said. “I saw someone who had the same surgery as me, so I decided to contact her.”
Sitting volleyball Paralympic player Lora Webster connected with Williams and told her who she needed to contact. A few years later, Williams is part of the Team USA Sitting Volleyball Team heading to Tokyo. Williams and Webster will build a room together prior to the competition on August 28th.
“I have always sought to be the best I can, not just for myself, but for my community, friends and family,” Williams said. “It’s very humble and exciting to be able to go (to Tokyo) and represent. I’m very grateful every time I step into court, and I’m grateful to God for everything.”
Williams hopes that her journey will embrace the qualities that make them unique to others and inspire them to use them forever.
Williams’ five-year cancer-free milestone is January 2022.