Sophomore Jessica Greene did not ever think that she would not be able to enjoy the foods that she craved. While stretching one day before a workout, Greene became physically ill, but just believed it was a simple stomach virus.
However, after several weeks of intense sickness, Greene went to the doctor and discovered that she had an illness called gastroparesis.
“Literally, gastroparesis means paralysis of the stomach,” Greene said. “But a better way to explain it would be to say that the muscles and nerves in my stomach do not actually digest and empty food anymore.”
Currently Greene is on a strict liquid diet plan until she can build up a tolerance to eat six meals a day. Once a tolerance is built, Greene said she is only allowed to consume foods that can be cut with a plastic spoon.
Aside from her strict diet plan, Greene must also focus her attention on the amount of energy she exerts while catching and playing outfielder for Harding’s softball team.
“When doing athletics I just have to make sure that I go at a pace that allows me to finish everything without getting too sick or dehydrated,” Greene said. “Once that happens it is very hard for me to recover and get nutrients back into my system.”
Phil Berry, Harding University’s softball coach, said he is very optimistic about Greene’s future with the softball team. Berry said he believes that softball may be the perfect sport for Greene to play because of her condition.
“She is not able to do extensive, high energy conditioning over an extended period of time,” Berry said. “But she can exert energy in short bursts which works well for fast-pitch softball because that is what we do.”
After deciding that softball was the perfect sport for her, Greene talked to Berry about her condition. Together they put together a plan that would benefit her.
“Probably the neatest part about this whole experience was her coming to me and describing her condition and us coming up with a plan so she could communicate it to her teammates,” Berry said. “They are so accepting and supportive and glad that she is able to play.”
Greene said she is convinced that gastroparesis will not consume her life. With her coach and team supporting her, Greene plans on continuing to play softball and have fun in doing so.
