Amy Nokes: My Inspiration

By Charleston Southern on July 22, 2009 - 6:47 pm in Learning / no comments

Starting in about fifth grade Amy Nokes decided to babysit for the Schueler family in Chicago, Ill., where she grew up. For seven years, Nokes consistently showed up for the family, babysitting as often as twice a week, growing ever closer to the oldest boy, Henry, as well his siblings, Anna and Joe. Even when she wasn’t babysitting, Nokes spent time with the Schuelers, going to Henry’s baseball games, Anna’s basketball games, or just playing with Joe at the park.

Now a sophomore at CSU, Nokes’ senior year at Lane Tech High School brought devastating news. Henry was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. With all of the excitement of her senior year, as well as a scholarship to play Division I volleyball in front of her, Nokes wanted to stay closer to home in Chicago, Ill., and closer to Henry.

Even in the midst of the pain he was going through, Henry’s outlook and jovial spirit showed through. “You have to go,” he explained. “You are too white, you need a tan.”

Nokes decided to go ahead and sign to play at CSU, and when she visited with Henry a few days later was surprised by what he told her.

“He knew everything about CSU,” said Nokes. “He knew the mascot, the colors, all about Coach (Danyel) Bellush, how the baseball team was. It was amazing how much research he had already done. His support was one of the main reasons that I ended up coming here.”

On March 16, 2007, shortly after his 14th birthday, Henry underwent bone marrow transplant surgery. Not surprisingly, Henry was said to have recovered more quickly than any other patient the transplant team had ever treated. In fact, he recovered so quickly that he graduated with his eight-grade class in June.

Henry remained healthy, playing in his summer baseball league and earning all-star status. In September, though, the leukemia relapsed and he was once again subjected to chemotherapy treatments. Almost 1,000 miles away from home, Nokes watched from afar as he developed zygomycosis, a fungal infection that would force another bone marrow treatment.

Amazingly, the young Henry showed maturity beyond his years. On October 9, 2007, which coincidently was Noke’s 19th birthday, Henry was given hours to live and was about to be sent home to spend the rest of his time in the comfort of his home with his family. His attitude continued to shine as he tried to encourage those with him.

“We will be together again in heaven,” Henry told his siblings. “It will be much better than earth because I can’t get the flu in heaven.”

Continuing to fight, his blood count went back up in the late hours of October 9, and he was able to stay in the hospital with hopes of recovering again. News quickly traveled across the country to Nokes, and even though no one in Charleston knew him, Henry’s perseverance and will to live impacted many around CSU. Knowing he was a big baseball fan, the CSU baseball team signed a couple of baseballs and gave Nokes a sweatshirt to take home to Henry. She did so during the 2007 Christmas break, a break that Henry would not survive.

Henry put up a valiant fight, claiming, “If I’m down to my last breath, I’ll take 20 more. It will take a truck to bring me down,” but passed away on Dec. 14, 2007.

In her sophomore year, Nokes changed her number to 41, which was Henry’s football number. It serves as a reminder to her, and gives her plenty of chances to share his story with others, leading them to the 41 & 9 Foundation set up by Henry’s parents. Henry’s death changed more about Nokes than just her number. Her grades went from a dismal 1.5 GPA to an outstanding 3.75 in one year, and her play on the court improved as well. This past season, she was fourth on the team in kills, third in blocks, and second in assists, playing in almost every game.

“This young man changed my life so much,” said Nokes. “I write his number and initials in a heart on my wrist before every game. I dedicated my volleyball career to him and always try to go above and beyond when I play or in practice. No matter what I do, I try to make Henry proud.”

Over the course of the season, each player on the volleyball team got to have their own “spirit week,” where they got a chance to address and motivate the team. Nokes put up a picture of Henry with a quote in the locker room, and even though her spirit week ended, there was no doubt that the team would leave it up for the remainder of the season.

“You can really tell a difference in Amy,” said Bellush. “When she came back after his death, she came back a different person. She no longer sweats the small stuff but really takes pride in her life. She has a pure joy about her that kept her on the court this year, and I felt like that joy came from him. She has a passion for life that no one could have taught her.”

Because it was Henry that convinced Nokes to come to CSU, the impact he made on her life holds eternal changes as well. Being in a Christian environment during one of the toughest years of her life led Nokes to find her faith.

“I never really went to church before I came to CSU,” recalls Nokes. “I just came here to play volleyball. When Henry got sick, people all around campus came to my aid. Everyone said that they would pray for him, and for me, and that really made an impact on me. It was because of those experiences that led me to my faith.”

Bellush added, “It was so nice that she was here at Charleston Southern, where we could openly pray for her, and for him while he was sick. God has His timing for everything and there is no doubt He had a hand in every aspect of this situation. God has really touched her life through Henry.”

More information on Henry’s battle with leukemia, as well as the 41 & 9 Foundation can be found at www.henryschueler.org.

Tags: Amy Nokes athletics CSU Bucs