My name is River Solon, and I am a high school senior at Kadoka Area High School in Kadoka, South Dakota. I was born in Rapid City and raised in rural South Dakota, where ranch life is tough and demands resilience. Growing up wasn’t easy. As a kid, I faced many challenges. I was picked on and bullied in school, and I’ve had to fight harder than most to get where I am today.  I was born prematurely—six weeks early—and suffered an in-utero stroke before birth. When I entered the world, I was barely alive, and the nurses had to work hard to revive me. Doctors told my parents I would likely spend my life in a wheelchair. The stroke affected my learning abilities and impacted the movement of my hand and leg. I wear a hand brace to help me with daily activities and leg braces to help me walk.  But with the grace of God, the strength of my family, and my own determination, I beat the odds.  My parents and grandparents refused to give up on me. They put me on a horse before I could walk, using animal’s horses and cattle—as therapy to help me regain feeling and movement. Ranch life became more than a lifestyle; it became my physical and emotional therapy. Slowly, I learned to walk. Then I learned to run.  School was never easy. Learning has always been a challenge, and connecting with classmates was often difficult. But I pushed through, even when it hurt. In seventh grade, I discovered cross-country running, and everything changed. What started as a simple school sport became a life-changing passion. From doctors saying I’d never stand on my own, from chasing cows on horseback to racing across finish lines—I proved to myself that I could keep going. One of my proudest moments was running a 3.02-mile cross-country race, something I once believed would never be possible. It reminded me just how far I’ve come.  Through everything, I’ve learned patience, determination, grit, and how to believe in myself. I’ve developed a deep sense of empathy for others who face invisible battles. Despite my challenges, I’ve stayed active. I ran Cross Country from 7th through 12th grade, played middle school football from 6th through 8th grade, and played high school football through 9th and 10th grade. I have also been involved in Track, Student Council, and 4-H. I never wanted to be left out of anything, and I never let my disabilities define who I could be or what I could do.  As I look ahead to life after high school, I hope to attend college and pursue a career in ranch and livestock management, staying rooted in agriculture. I also hope to help others with disabilities who face challenges similar to mine. I want to take the strengths and lessons I’ve gained and use them to inspire others.  Today, I’m not only walking, I’m running. I’m not just surviving, I’m thriving. I’ve learned that the biggest limits in life are the ones we accept, and I refuse to accept limits.  My story isn’t just about overcoming a disability; it’s about perseverance, faith, and proving that even when the odds are against you, you can still rise. I may have been born with limits, but every day I work to rise above them—and I hope to help others do the same.