This is the first in our series of reader stories. If anyone else has a story to tell, please send it to us. This story comes from a reader named Pamela.  It just goes to show you that enthusiasm and motivation are all you need to accomplish your dreams.  Thanks for the story, Pamela. We’re rooting for you!

Hi my name is Pamela and I am 16 years old. I danced for 13 years. When I was 12 I started training to be a professional ballerina. I trained everyday but Sunday for 8 hours. A year and a half later, I did a jump and when I landed I snapped the main ligament in my right ankle. I had to have immediate surgery or I would never be able to dance again. I didn’t have the surgery because doctors refused to do it because I was so young. The doctors told me I would never be able to dance again and that I would never be able to walk up stairs without any pain.

Two weeks later I was on the stage dancing in competitions, despite the pain. Two months later we had our major competition. The problem was that it went for 12 hours and I would have to constantly go up and down stairs. I made it thru the competition. I didn’t think about the pain but I was in absolute agony. I made it through.

At the end of the year I gave up dancing and started elite rhythmic gymnastics. It is my passion and I am going to dedicate my life to it. The doctors told me I would never be able to dance again, let alone do gymnastics! My coaches are shocked that I could pick up such a difficult sport at 16 years old but I know I can do it. I am working to be the 2011 rhythmic gymnastics world champion and to place in the 2012 olympics. I have been doing the sport for 18 months and I can already do things that takes the girls years to learn.

My message to people is to beleive in yourself because anything is possible. Sometimes things happen for a reason. Look at me now I can do gym and I can even walk up and down stairs without any pain! And remember:

"A champion is not a special person, but a person that does special things."