Ty Ulmer: Making the Biggest Save of His Life
The Hockey Writers' Shawn Reznik with an inspirational story of Ty Ulmer, who picked up hockey after battling osteosarcoma.
Excerpt:
Wise Beyond His Years
“I look at life much differently than I used to,” stated Ulmer. ”Going through something like cancer treatment will do that to a person. I live my day-to-day life like everyone else should…day by day. Take every day with a grain of salt and what happens, happens.”
So you’re probably wondering how Ty is doing up to this point in his life. Well…so far so good!
“Everything has been going smoothly. My recent set of post-treatment scans were all clear. No sign of recurrence in the disease. I am now, currently, 4 years cancer free,” the upbeat 17-year old said.
The reason he is still cancer free is because he never stopped pressing on against the uphill battle.
“I didn’t give up because I wasn’t just fighting for myself. I was fighting for my family and friends. I was fighting for all the kids who had also battled cancer alongside me, and for those who lost their battle, as well. I’ll never give up on anything that will not give up on me.”
We all look up to superstars, celebrities, musicians, athletes, the whole gamut. Ty’s role models and support group are the ones who have been by his side through the cancer, the amputation, the chemo, the good news, the bad news, and just about everything else he’s experienced.
“My Dad for having been in the Air Force for 21 years, numerous deployments, missing countless things like birthdays, holidays and milestones in our family, and yet still keeping a positive attitude and making me feel loved. I am amazed by his courage and I am honored to call him my father.
My Mom for understanding the choices I’ve made, supporting me in those choices, putting up with me, and always being there for me after it all. For staying strong when my Dad was deployed, and keeping me in good spirits. I am amazed by her strength and I am very thankful that she is my mother.
My Brother for being the role model he has been throughout my life, always being someone to look up to, for moving back home when he heard I was diagnosed, and helping me with going through all that I have. Always being able to cheer me up if I was feeling depressed.
I couldn’t be happier with the family I have, as they are my true role models.”
There are many people in similar situations as Ty Ulmer, who never get the opportunity he’s been given. He’s able to play the game that has brought him so much joy. He’s been given a second chance – of which he never takes for granted. He’s been supported by friends and family members unconditionally. He’s experienced things in 17 years of life that people wish they never experience at all. And still, he remains a humble kid from Meridian, Idaho.
“I decided to play [hockey] because I have a passion for the sport that not everyone has. I’d enjoy nothing more than to play in goal on any team – beer league or higher. You don’t have to pay me to play, I just love the game. I want to play because it’s something that not everyone can do, and I want to show that even the difficult things in life are worth the fight,” Ulmer stressed.
In terms of sport, his goal is quite simple: “to be able to play hockey, and teach others to play hockey (be it kids, teens, adults, or disabled).”
His message to the kid’s in the same position as he once was: “As cliché as it might sound, just don’t give up and keep your head up. You are lucky enough to have your life, where as not everyone else is. Life is a gift that you have been given, a gift that isn’t returnable, it is yours to keep, so live it as best as you can, and keep your spirits up.”
The kid has been through it all. He’s visited the depths of hell and came out clean on the other side. Cancer carved away at his body like a freshly cut pair of skates against a perfect sheet of ice. Each slice left an indelible mark on his character, fortitude, and and will power. Be that as it may, there is only one key point to take out of this piece.
Ty concluded, “Anything, no matter how hard it might be, is possible. It might take a while to get there, and it might not be the easiest thing in the world, but in the end, it is worth it.”
*Read the full inspirational story at The Hockey Writers.
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