By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist
Recently, a diagnosis of type I diabetes threatened to topple hopes and dreams of Thompson High School senior softball player Molly Jones. After mother Kendall Jones (father John) told Childrens Hospital they wouldn’t be leaving without a verified, absolute diagnosis for Molly’s symptoms, many tests and ultrasounds were performed.
Type I diabetes was the guilty culprit but Jones learned all her instructions, signs, medicine (insulin), diet and ways to maintain her health. She is determined to control her diagnosis and not let her diagnosis control her.
Playing softball since age 6, Jones is a well-known catcher (also can play second and third base). Jones committed early this year to Wallace State in Hanceville, but has not officially signed with them.
“I’m keeping my options open” said Jones.
In seventh and eighth grades, longtime girls softball coach Sammy Skinner was a mentor, coach and friend to Jones. Since then, coaches John Cole and Jake Parker have continued to coach Jones.
With anatomy being one of her favorite subjects, it is understandable of her desire to become a nurse.
“My dream is to be a nurse at Childrens Hospital one day. That would be awesome,” she said
Auburn football, making people laugh, enjoying her senior year in high school and hanging out with friends are some of the things that make Molly a happy camper. Jones’ dream trip is to travel to Italy. As of now, her longest trip has been to San Francisco to compete in softball nationals.
When asked what makes a good friend, Jones replied that the friend should always be there for you, listen and be supportive and forgiving. Eating Mexican food or wings, dreaming of college, a four wheel drive Jeep and the future ahead of her make Jones a good candidate for success.
“I will not give up on my goals. My future will go on as planned. Twenty years from now, I hope to be a nurse and have a family of two or three children — no more than that,” she said.