North Topsail Elementary School – Brooke Neeley – A Inspiration to All – In Life – School – And on the Softball Field

North Topsail Elementary School
Brooke Neeley

TYSD Media
Tri-County Youth Sports Daily

North Topsail Elementary School – Brooke Neeley – A Inspiration to All – In Life – In School – And on the Softball Field

As we feature our area Youth, Middle School and High School Athletes, we often look at them beginning youth sports at an early age. North Topsail Elementary student Brooke Neeley, like others got involved in youth sports at a young age. Following the footsteps of her older sister, Emma a 2021 Topsail High School graduate and softball player. Emma is currently a freshman with the Methodist University Monarchs Softball program. Brooke is in her second season playing with the Topsail Girls Softball Association League.

Brooke is an inspiration to us all. The journey to youth sports and the softball field came with challenges and adversity. Brooke was born with Down Syndrome, a genetic disability that occurs when a third copy of the twenty first chromosome Most people with Down Syndrome have significant delays in physical development due to how muscle tone as well as mid to moderate intellectual disabilities. Brooke started physical therapy at three months old, followed by occupational and speech therapy when it is appropriate. Brooke had open heart surgery at 5 months old.

Brooke’s mom, was inspired by a friend when Brooke was younger. “A good friend told me that I should not expect anything less from Brooke than I did from her sister Emma,” It will just take her a little longer to get there.” I have always kept that in my mind when raising Brooke.” With proper support, Brooke can do anything she chooses to do”

Brooke is doing just that. Anything she chooses to do.