In many ways Bianca Ballarin is like most New West teens. She likes walking her dog, hanging out with her friends, and lacrosse.
Unlike most girls her age, she manages to excel at athletics while dealing daily with an often-debilitating disease.
Last season Ballarin, 16, played in goal on the girls’ midget Salmonbellies box lacrosse team.
“I am so proud to be a Salmonbellie,” Ballarin said.
Her team won silver at the 2014 provincials and then Ballarin made Team B.C. and went to Nationals in August where her team came in first.
Winning is nothing new for Ballarin. This summer marked her fourth time at nationals.
“There is a joke among the coaches … that whoever gets her, pretty much has a direct line to the gold medal game in provincials,” said Rich Catton, a lacrosse coach, and former National
Lacrosse League player. “She’s got a super great attitude. She really cares about the game and development, so any time you get to spend time with Bianca you know that she is a competitor – like all the time,” he said.
In addition to box lacrosse, Ballarin also plays field lacrosse, hikes and plays hockey (defence) during the winter months.
“She is fantastic,” Catton added.
Ballarin, in Grade 11 at New Westminster Secondary, said she does “pretty well” at school, too, though her socializing sometimes gets in the way.
“I am quite the chatterbox,” she said with a laugh.
Judging by her accomplishments, schedule and attitude, it is impossible to tell Ballarin suffers from Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes painful abdominal cramping, fever, diarrhea and can lead to dramatic weight loss.
Symptoms are often most severe in the morning when the bowels are most active.
There is no cure.
Ballarin was diagnosed in Grade 8 – three years and several national championships ago.
She tried taking the medications prescribed for the condition but said the pills made the stomach cramps stronger and overall made her feel worse.
“It makes you really tired,” she said.
Managing the disease on a daily basis is sometimes difficult. She has to miss school some mornings, for example, but finds being so physically active helps fend off flare-ups.
“It kind of goes away when I play sports,” she said. She suspects the adrenaline rush of activity keeps her body focused on competing, at least for short periods.
But the pain always returns.
And while Crohn’s sometimes goes into remission, Ballarin knows the disease won’t ease up over time.
“They say that actually when I get older, it will probably get worse,” she said.
Ballarin isn’t letting the negative prognosis keep her from making big plans.
In lacrosse, Ballarin said she is looking forward to being a junior next season, which starts in the spring of 2015, and making the provincials – again.
Long-term she wants to go to university to become a sports medical trainer.
Ballarin credits the support she gets from many in her life, including teachers, coaches, family and friends, with her ability to stay positive.
“They are always there for me,” she said.
And her older brother, Marco, has been an inspiration.
He is a Junior A hockey player and is hearing impaired.
“Marco knows the challenges very well. He’s probably Bianca’s role model for strength and perseverance,” said Ballarin’s mom, Michelle, by email.
Ballarin said when it comes right down to it though, dealing with her health concerns and still being a star athlete comes down to character.
“I like to think I am a tough girl,” she said.
