A reflection of a Short Life

Paul Rushing — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:30:56 +0000

On Tuesday of this week a tragic battle ended. My niece’s struggle with an eleven year battle with cancer ended. Danielle possessed a charisma and determination that I have not ever seen equaled by another when facing unknown outcomes. In her short life she was faced trials that are unimaginable for anyone at any point in their life. She was first diagnosed with cancer at the very young age of eight, lost her father due to the same disease when she was seventeen and one year after her father’s death cancer creeped back into her life to start another battle.

One thing that Danielle did that was completely remarkable is she set goals for herself and struggled to meet every one of them. Simple things like walking a lap at relay for life under her own power, getting a drivers license, attending prom and graduating from high school. These were all huge milestones for her and she met everyone of them. Giving up was not in her vocabulary.

In her quest to graduate from high school she became well loved by the students at Brantley County High School. The students honored her determination by voting her as their prom queen for 2008. They will also be placing a memorial bench at the school to honor her so future students can learn from her determination.

The family has received an outpouring of support. I personally would like to thank. Bennett’s Pharmacy, Waynesville Volunteer Fire Department, the Glynn and Brantley County Police Departments, the Brantley County High School Class of 2008 and it’s staff. Your acts of kindness did not go unnoticed.

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A reflection of a Short Life

Danielle Nicole Strickland Nov. 3, 1988 – August 19, 2008