RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Margaret ^Hackett was diagnosed as infant with Craniometaphyseal Dysplasia, a rare metabolic bone disease which resulted in a dramatic hearing loss and Bell's palsy; and
WHEREAS, Despite these obstacles Margaret Hackett played softball, excelled in school and lives a relatively conventional life; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Hackett continued to thrive until the 6th grade when doctors discovered an abnormal growth at the base of her skull that caused intense headaches and dizziness; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 15 years Margaret Hackett has been in and out of acute care hospitals and endured 20 surgeries, some which resulted in complications; and
WHEREAS, At one point in her life, Margaret Hackett became confined to a wheelchair and lost virtually all sensation from her neck down; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Hackett additionally developed a condition which causes cysts to form on her spinal cord; and
WHEREAS, In spite of all of these obstacles, Margaret Hackett has excelled at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago where her intense and ongoing therapies such as resistance training and interval treadmill exercises have helped to her to regain enough mobility to again maneuver her own wheelchair; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Hackett regained the ability to stand and use a walker with the assistance of customized leg braces; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Hackett's hard work and continued therapy also led to a vast improvement in her dexterity and increased her endurance; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Hackett graduated from high school with the 7th highest grade point average in her class; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Hackett went on to attend classes at the University of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Using a custom-made hand-cycle, Margaret Hackett participated in SkyRise Chicago 2013 successfully completed a simulated program that mirrored the 103-floor stair climb; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her journey, Margaret Hackett has learned that dreams are still attainable and considers hersel...
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