Stop the ball and follow your dreams

Dennilson's Story, 2020 Ambassador

Dennilson is 12 years old; he is from Sahuayo, Mechoacán and loves soccer. In fact, he is a starting goalkeeper at his school and has participated in various regional tournaments. Dennilson has been a patient at Shriners Hospital since he was two months old. He got there due to a doctor's referral, as he was born without a femur and knee.

How do you find your talent?

His dad plays soccer and Dennilson became interested in the sport since he was one year old. When he received his first foot prosthesis, he was already playing and kicking the balls. They realized then that Dennilson had ball skills. Dennilson tells us that what he likes most about playing soccer is seeing when the forwards approach his goal and knowing that he can stop that ball.

When he entered the school there were sports workshops, and he decided to join the school team and participate in a national tournament. He competes in his first soccer tournament in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, where he won the trophy as the best goalkeeper of the tournament; it was his first participation and a great achievement. From that moment on, he began to participate year after year representing his school in Chihuahua and Guadalajara. However, there was one more challenge Dennilson had to face.

In the fifth year of primary school, he was unable to participate in the soccer tournament because he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is a rare disorder in which the body immune system attacks the nerves. Although the rehab of this syndrome can last up to a year, Dennilson only needed six months to recover, all thanks to his desire to participate in the next soccer tournament.

2020 Ambassador

Dennilson was chosen as 2020 Ambassador for Shriners Hospital and will represent us in the now traditional Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, organized by the PGA, an event that seeks to raise funds for Shriners Hospitals. “Dennilson is a very active, a good student and very fond of mathematics. When he knew he would be an ambassador, he was very happy because he loves to travel, and even more in relation to sports activities. He knows all sports; he is always on the lookout for all sports programs,” says Jesus, Dennilson's dad. You can support Dennilson by clicking on the following link.

His Dream

“We have been going through the Azteca Stadium for 12 years, and every time he does it he gets excited like the first time. Dennilson's biggest dream is to visit the Azteca Stadium and meet the Club América players. I am very grateful to the Hospital; it makes you realize that everything can be achieved. I even thought that my son would be in a wheelchair,” Jesus said.

Dennilson's Message

“My message is never to give up, as there will always be someone who is waiting for you with open arms.”