Ta’Quaja was diagnosed with a brain tumor in December 2014. She underwent an aggressive treatment plan that included brain surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The grueling treatment left Ta’Quaja feeling isolated from her peers, so she was nervous to attend the 2016 Aspen Winter Games with nearly 70 other kids.
Those nerves didn’t last long, though! From ski-biking Buttermilk Mountain, to strutting her stuff at the talent show, to giving all her new friends hilarious nicknames - we loved watching Ta’Quaja’s confidence blossom during the week!
“Hospital stays, radiation, chemotherapy...my life revolved around treatments. Shining Stars gave me the opportunity to ride in an airplane for the first time, meet incredible people who motivate me to do more, and visit a state I’ve never been to. And I got to ski, which I’ve never done and made me feel like a champ no matter if I went fast or not.
-Ta’Quaja”
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