Roadrunners Inspired by Special Visitor

A special visitor recently dropped in on Downers Grove Roadrunner club soccer practice to share the extraordinary story of her life. Lexi Youngberg, a senior at Wheaton Academy, spoke to the girls about the boating accident that devastated her life and how she managed to come back from amputation to play soccer, swim and ski again.

A September 2009 boating accident in Michigan caused Lexi to lose a dear friend and her left leg below the knee. She has little memory of the nine surgeries she endured in the two weeks following the accident. With much determination, Lexi was back up walking by Thanksgiving of that same year.

Roadrunner Riley Wagner, 12, was impressed that Lexi “was able to forgive the person who drove the boat (that caused the accident).”

Since March 2011, Lexi has been back out on the field playing for Wheaton Academy’s Varsity soccer team. On her left cleat, she wears a bright green band with the initials of Robby, her friend who died in the accident.

Her teammates all wear a yellow band on their cleats with the word PROMISE on it—a reference to the Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11, that has been a source of strength for Lexi during her recovery: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.“                 

Lexi left quite an impression on the young soccer players. “I learned that God has a purpose for all of us and he has our life planned out,” said Chloe Nowka, 11.

 Teammate Rachel Guinn, also 11, said, “It’s cool and interesting that she plays soccer with only one leg.”  

This story was submitted by Sara Bieda.