YOUNGSTER GETS KICK OUT OF SPORT DESPITE HER HEALTH PROBLEMS

When Amanda Lowes plays soccer, sometimes it hurts. But she doesn't care that the running she does while playing sometimes sparks an asthma attack. She just wants to play.

When Amanda was 3 years old, she was diagnosed as having exercise-induced asthma, a severe and rare form of asthma.

It can't be prevented, and individuals with this type of asthma don't outgrow it, said her mother.

But it hasn't stopped Amanda from playing the game she loves. Now her work has paid off.

Amanda, 9, is one of 15 girls under age 10 selected to play on the Cape Wave soccer team from Cape Girardeau in the statewide Show Me Games, which will be held in Columbia July 19-21.

The Show Me Games is an Olympic-type sports festival for amateur Missouri athletes. Competitions are held for adults and children in almost every competitive activity.

This will be the first team, for girls of this age, to attend the Show Me Games from Cape Girardeau, said coach Alice Temm.

"These are the top soccer players in that age group," said Temm.

Amanda is the daughter of Cathy Lowes of Fruitland and Dave Lowes of Jackson.

Her mother said that when Amanda was younger, she didn't think Amanda would be able to participate in such an active sport.

She received asthma treatments six times a day. Each treatment lasted five to 10 minutes.

"When she was younger we tried to turn such a negative thing into a positive thing," Cathy Lowes said. "During those five or 10 minutes, I would read to her. We had children's books about determination and courage that we read. But she's taught me the value of determination.

"She has controlled her asthma and not let her asthma control her," said Lowes. "It's quite a bit for a little girl to deal with."

Amanda has played soccer since she was 6 years old.

"No one ever told her she couldn't do sports," said Lowes.

"I'm real proud of her. Exercising for her can be real painful. Sometimes it hurts her to play," she said.

Amanda has to have asthma treatment before every practice and every game. She takes emergency medication with her at all times.

Amanda said, "When I was little I was afraid I wouldn't be able to play sports. I just kind of wanted to get involved."

So she tried.

"Sometimes I start breathing hard, so I try to just calm down and take a break. But I can't take such a big rest in the middle of a game," she said.

"I just want to make my best effort and be aggressive."

Amanda said, "It's an honor to be selected" for the Show Me Games.

But she is embarrassed by her mother's enthusiasm. "I just want to be like the other kids. I want to keep that I have asthma to myself."

And all the preparation she does before each practice and game doesn't daunt Amanda.

"It's worth it to play," she said.

In addition to soccer, Amanda plays softball and swims.

All this exercise may be making Amanda's lungs stronger, said her mother. The girl has her breathing treatment just once a day now.

"But you don't outgrow it," her mother said. "The doctors say she needs to exercise to strengthen her lungs."

But without the medication, she would be unable to participate in sports.

Amanda is in the third grade at Fruitland Elementary School. She hopes to be a teacher or a nurse when she grows up. In the meantime, she plans to keep playing soccer and softball, and hopes to eventually play on a high school team.