Two months ago, she had big dreams of a college scholarship. Then came the practice that changed everything. "I couldn't catch my breath, and then, I felt dizzy at the same time," Delilah said.
Her mother, Rosie Mendez, got a call that her daughter had passed out. She figured it was something small, like dehydration, until someone told her Delilah had no pulse.
Delilah went to a local hospital, then flew to Phoenix Children's Hospital, where a heart and lung machine kept her alive. Doctors found the underlying heart condition and operated right away. Complications brought blood clots and circulation problems, so they amputated.
After two months in the hospital, Delilah is home, playing video games and spending time with her younger brothers. Her mother says she is trying to stay positive, though the loss of independence may be the hardest part. "She's a very independent person," Mendez said. Delilah plans to walk and play volleyball again with a prosthetic. "It's gonna be pretty hard, but I think I can get through it," she said.