About Me

Profile

About: I was born in Orange County, California, but moved a few months later to Houston, Texas. My father’s family lived in San Antonio, TX and became the support my family needed after my mother moved to Chile. I visited my mother during the holidays, allowing me to explore the world more than I thought I would, which ignited my love for traveling. Even though I visited my mom for great lengths of time I would still and always say I was a daddy’s girl. I grew up with my dad and brother, who taught me to become a tomboy. With them I was always outdoors, which allowed me to love playing all sports and always be active.

The summer before our eighth grade year, my brother and I came back to Houston after spending it in South America with our mom. After celebrating our return with our dad, he brought us home and told us that over the summer he went to the doctor and got diagnosed with bladder cancer. At that age cancer was not a big deal to me, so I was upset because something was wrong with my dad but I never would have expected him to pass away. All summer I had been so excited to be back in Texas so that my brother and I could hang out with my dad, but unfortunately for the rest of the summer we couldn’t because he was filled with so much pain from treatments. After months had passed after his death, I began to remember the lessons I learned from him, and attempted to follow in his footsteps so that I could grow up to resemble his loving and caring self.

Since my life got turned upside down, I have tried to take advantage of the time I have by trying to establish as many friendships as I can, especially since I love learning about people and listening to how they have become who they are. I have finally decided to major in social work, even though I have no idea what I want to do, but possibly helping those who have been through similar things like I have. I love spontaneous explorations, LOVE laughing, and am so happy when I can journal and read a book or learn about Jesus while enoing.

Sometimes I am guilty of pitying myself for the troubles that have come my way, but each day I try to remind myself that without all these things happening I would not be where I am, with amazing people next to me encouraging me daily. Because of my friends and family, I was able to continue my life after my dad passed away.

Why I Ride

I ride for my dad – Edward Joseph Ketterer. My dad was my hero from day one. I look up to my dad for the strength he contained and the love he shared for others. My dad loved my brother and I with all his heart and protected us from everything. I hope that as I grow up I contain the love my dad possessed and will be able to share it with those in my life.

I ride for my brother, Davis, for what he has had to experience. I have no idea where I would be without him.

I ride for my grandparents, my dad's parents, for the strength they contained during this batte my dad fought. My grandfather, Pappy, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in November 2013. I ride for my aunt, Julie, for the rock she has had to be during her brother's battle against cancer and then her parents.

I ride for Heidi and Bob Kelsey, who have been brave enough to take care of my brother and I, and who are also both cancer survivors.

I ride for those who have been or who are diagnosed with cancer, and I also ride for their families who are going through similar things that my family went through. I ride so that one day someone will create a cure for cancer so that there will be less suffering and pain going on in the world.