Student fights cancer, inspired to become child life specialist
Cassandra Obinger (left) and Amanda Knight (right), study together in front of the Welcome Center in SUL.
In 2011, a 15-year-old Amanda Knight was diagnosed with leukemia and received treatment at the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
Knight is now in remission, and she’s a junior human development and family studies major with the goal to become a child life specialist.
“A child life specialist is an advocate for the patient,” Knight said. “So basically they explain procedures that they’re going to have to go through, help them during hospitalization, get them anything they might need and help them deal with the paperwork. You’re kind of their moral support while they’re there.”
Knight’s time at the Riley Hospital for Children influenced her decision to go into this field. After completing her treatment and getting out of the hospital, Knight went back to the hospital to shadow a child life specialist that was with Knight while she was being treated.
“I was excited and very interested because before I had declared my major and figured out what I wanted to do, I knew nothing about child life. Over the semester and past semesters, though, I’ve been researching more and more. So I was really curious to see what exactly she does because I didn’t know,” Knight said.
When Knight was first diagnosed, she believed she would make it through despite everything.
“I didn’t have many concerns. I have a really strong faith, and after I was diagnosed, I had a peace I can’t even understand,” Knight said. “I just knew the Lord was going to take care of me and I knew that I would be okay, my family would get through it and I would get through it.”
Knight keeps a positive attitude about life despite what she faced.
“I know that the Lord has me in his hands. I know it happened for a reason, that something great is going to come out of it, and it will be alright,” Knight said.
Cassandra Obinger, sophomore communication major and close friend to Knight, said she admires her friend.
“Amanda had a joy that not many people experience when they have cancer. It was devastating hearing her suffer from the symptoms of her disease and the course of treatment she wastaking,” Obinger said. “Obviously, that kind of news is never easy as the victim, but she had a confidence and a joy that was contagious and gave you hope that she was a fighter and a believer, that her god would bring her through this.”
Knight said the best thing someone in a similar situation can do is be optimistic.
“One of the greatest things you can do for your health is to stay positive. It seems like it can be so hard in such a negative situation, sometimes even impossible, but you can,” Knight said.
Phyllis woodworth • Dec 1, 2016 at 7:43 pm
God is great
Brenda Baker • Nov 30, 2016 at 9:15 pm
I can attest to Amanda’s strong faith and the fight she has in her very kind heart. She was so strong even when her body was so weak! She was always positive even when she was in pain, and weak and tired. She invited people to accompany her to her treatments in Indy. I did get to go and watch what she went through. The medical injections and the spinal taps that would wipe her out. She always fought and pulled through with a smile, eventually. She continued to attend as many family gatherings as she could even when she didn’t feel well. She did have to be careful of illness as her immune system was weak. We all kept her informed if someone was sick because we didn’t want her to get sick too. Amanda is a child of our awesome God. He has worked through her to show others that one can endure with a true faith in Him. She is such a kind, caring, humble, loving servant that has been through a lot in her young life. She is an example to be followed and admired. I love you Amanda Knight!