"I have to wear glasses the rest of my life," the former USC Aiken basketball standout told Mid-Day Lions Club members. "But that's okay. God gave me two eyes, and I've adjusted to having one. I am careful when I drive, because I really have a blind spot!" Legg said to laughter.
Lions International supports many sight programs and services, and Legg thanked the members for their support -- the cards, letters and flowers "and your outpouring of love."
Legg had completed her senior season at USCA in early spring last year as the program's all-time leading scorer. She was a few weeks from finishing school as an honor graduate with a business degree and had a job lined as an accountant with the URS Corporation.
She was shocked when she suddenly lost the sight in her eye, but that occurrence almost certainly saved her life. A specialist in Philadelphia found a tumor and used extended and painful radiation treatments to remove it, although the eye was lost permanently.
Legg returns to the specialist every four months to undergo tests with the understanding and acceptance that the cancer could return. She did graduate with her class last spring and has settled in at URS.
She and her family members had been through this kind of ordeal before: Legg's older brother was 18 when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He has been in remission for five years and Legg knew she could get through it too.
"I was in a state of mind knowing I could die at 22," she said. "I didn't want to take my life for granted. I was an emotional player on the court, and I had to learn a bit of calming down, that it could be worse. God had a reason for this, and I don't know if I have to understand or explain it."
Legg attended a Pacers' game Wednesday night. There's a Meredith Legg award now for courage in the face of adversity. She was the first recipient. And there she was in the stands, trying to send out mental messages to her friends on the court just one more time, but knowing she has to let that part of her life go.
She loved the Pacers, loved basketball and wanted to play forever, perhaps even professionally somewhere. She has found a new way to keep up with her sport, however, coaching a group of 9- to 12-year-old girls at Mead Hall. Now Legg realizes that God gave her those skills, that gift to share with others.
"They bring me absolute joy," she said. "They want to tell me about their whole lives. At this age, they have to learn basketball the right way, and I've always said, 'You can't pick it up and run with it.' I love it, and knowing I can make a difference really helps. We're doing really great."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
Legg had completed her senior season at USCA in early spring last year as the program's all-time leading scorer. She was a few weeks from finishing school as an honor graduate with a business degree and had a job lined as an accountant with the URS Corporation.
She was shocked when she suddenly lost the sight in her eye, but that occurrence almost certainly saved her life. A specialist in Philadelphia found a tumor and used extended and painful radiation treatments to remove it, although the eye was lost permanently.
Legg returns to the specialist every four months to undergo tests with the understanding and acceptance that the cancer could return. She did graduate with her class last spring and has settled in at URS.
She and her family members had been through this kind of ordeal before: Legg's older brother was 18 when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He has been in remission for five years and Legg knew she could get through it too.
"I was in a state of mind knowing I could die at 22," she said. "I didn't want to take my life for granted. I was an emotional player on the court, and I had to learn a bit of calming down, that it could be worse. God had a reason for this, and I don't know if I have to understand or explain it."
Legg attended a Pacers' game Wednesday night. There's a Meredith Legg award now for courage in the face of adversity. She was the first recipient. And there she was in the stands, trying to send out mental messages to her friends on the court just one more time, but knowing she has to let that part of her life go.
She loved the Pacers, loved basketball and wanted to play forever, perhaps even professionally somewhere. She has found a new way to keep up with her sport, however, coaching a group of 9- to 12-year-old girls at Mead Hall. Now Legg realizes that God gave her those skills, that gift to share with others.
"They bring me absolute joy," she said. "They want to tell me about their whole lives. At this age, they have to learn basketball the right way, and I've always said, 'You can't pick it up and run with it.' I love it, and knowing I can make a difference really helps. We're doing really great."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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