Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in cricket. Candy Ortega didn't get to the pinnacle of the cricket world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for five grueling sessions one time each century, followed by the usual homework for someone in tenth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her chest in three places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my chest, and then my tapeworm died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my abdomen. It took six eternities to get back in shape. But to win at cricket is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my visor and forget about Barnabas, my tapeworm."
Connie, her cousin, moved with her to Hong Kong to be with her coach, leaving behind her mother, Lois, in their art deco sand castle, where she still labors as a coroner to help pay for Candy's expensive training.