Many people spend a lifetime trying to achieve their dreams.
And for one Central Texas teen, doing that seemed almost impossible, but his will-power helped him defy the odds.
Sixteen year old Nick Meyer began following in the footsteps of his dad five years ago when he started competitive swimming.
But just last year, all of his hard work came to a screeching halt.
"My dad literally had to pick me up out of the water and I crawled out of the water," said Nick Meyer.
At just 73-pounds, what was once thought of as a flu bug, was clearly something much more.
"He just kept losing weight, losing weight he didn't want to eat basically. We took him up to Scott and White and they had to do emergency surgery on him. That's when he was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease," said Nick's mom Robbin Meyer.
the hereditary disease is a inflammatory bowel condition that caused a cyst the size of an orange to develop in the young swimmer.
"Before you know it I was in the hospital like three times, three surgeries, the whole nine yards," said Nick Meyer.
"As a mother it's like why couldn't it be me," said Robbin Meyer.
Although Crohn's Disease is not life threatening, it kept Nick away from the thing he loved the most.
"You have to be in incredible shape to really be able to compete," said Harker Heights Head Swim Coach Charlton Bruton.
And being stuck in a hospital bed, was not getting this young dreamer anywhere close to his goal.
"First when I was in the hospital I wanted to give up," said Nick Meyer.
But coming from a strong military family, giving up was not an option.
"I was watching Michael Phelps tapes and the only thing that he kept saying over and over again is don't give up," said Nick Meyer.
And with the support of his parents, coach and team of doctors, Nick's spirits are up and ready for competition.
During his most recent swim meet, Nick proved hard work and dedication really do pay off, making the finals for both the 200 and 500 free style.
