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Stephanie Dominici is often described by those close to her as "one-in-a-million." But statistically, she is actually one in 2.5 million. And if you count her courage, work ethic and athletic talent, her family, teachers and friends will tell you she's truly one-of-a-kind.
Dominici was barely three months old when she received the live oral polio vaccine (OPV). Days later, her father, James Dominici, was horrified when he woke his first-born child from a nap and realized that her legs were no longer moving on their own. Stephanie was later diagnosed with polio, making her the rare exception - one in every 2.5 million cases - in which a patient who receives OPV actually contracts the disease.
Over the years, Dominici, of Chicago's Garfield Ridge neighborhood, endured numerous surgeries. Today, she wears a leg brace and regularly battles extreme fatigue, a common symptom of the crippling disease.
But despite these circumstances, the 15-year-old, a sophomore at Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Westchester, Ill., leads an extraordinarily active life as a successful student-athlete at IHM and for two Chicago-based athletic teams.
On a typical spring day, she awakens at 5:30 a.m. to prepare for school. After a full day of classes, she's at softball practice at IHM before heading to swim practice. Dominici, a junior lifeguard at Wentworth, is currently working on her certification to teach beginner swimmers. By the time she arrives home it's well after dark, and there's barely enough time for homework and dinner.
"I'm really just like any other teenager in most ways. The differences are that I have to put more effort into activities that other people often take for granted," said Dominici. "And while I really don't like the fact that I can't run as well as I'd like to, I've learned how to accept it and to move forward."
According to junior varsity softball coach Harry Johnson, Dominici's work ethic, courage and positive attitude inspire her teammates to always give their best effort.
"Stephanie is the heart and soul of this team; she gives 110 percent each and every day and is often the first to offer words of encouragement to a teammate who may be having a bad game," said Johnson. "Her example to others at IHM reflects the true spirit of our school."
In addition to playing first base on the softball team, Dominici is a member of the Chicago Wentworth Sharks water polo team. She was recently named the Sharks' most valuable player and has won several ribbons in swimming competitions as a Shark.
When she was younger, Dominici competed in sled hockey games as a member of the Chicago Blizzards. Sled hockey is an adaptive winter sport for physically challenged athletes. Players "skate" by sitting on specially adapted sleds that are equipped with two hockey skate blades affixed under a seat. Hockey sticks and digging picks are used to maneuver the sleds on the ice. Dominici was named most valuable player of the Blizzards.
Dominici credits her family and friends at IHM for providing much-needed support to enable her to maintain her brisk pace at school and in the athletic arena.
"My parents are very caring and supportive," said Dominici. "My dad has always been a great teacher and my step mom has always encouraged me whenever I've wanted to try new experiences."
Dominici, who would like to attend the University of Chicago after graduation from IHM and aspires to one day become a physician, keeps her busy teen lifestyle in perspective.
"I have as much fun as I can and live my life now instead of worrying about the future. You never know what's going to happen," said Dominici.
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