Local Mentor 'Plays it Forward'

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - A local teen who has found inspiration on Courage Center's soccer field is helping other kids with disabilities see what is possible for them.

"She's pretty humble, but she's a pretty good player," Barb Fealy said about her daughter Deandra.

Dee was born with cerebral palsy, which means she has trouble with muscle control.

"She has no ability to control her body," Barb explained. "But she has a smart, intellectual brain."

Indeed, at 16 years old, Dee is ranked at the top of her class at Columbia Heights High School. She is intelligent, funny and very competitive.

"When she has that focus and that passion for things, nothing stops her," said Junior Mameo, Dee's coach and mentor at Courage Center.

Dee had collected a room full of karate trophies before discovering the power soccer program. It was her chance to join a team.

"The next day she quit karate and showed up in the gym, ready to go," Barb said.

Dee has never looked back. She plays as much soccer as possible. Now one of the captains of the Courage Center's power soccer team, Dee is showing other kids with disabilities what she learned from her mentors.

"The amazing thing about kids like Deandra is the disability disappears and all of the ability and possibilities appear," Junior said.

It is those possibilities Dee wants to help other kids see in themselves.

"We help new kids coming in," Dee said smiling.

Once helped by a mentor, today Dee is "playing" it forward. 

Source: http://www.kare11.com/life/community/article/938337/242/Local-mentor-plays-it-forward