People deal with adversity in different ways.
That’s a very personal thing: some of them get overwhelmed by the situation and struggle a lot to get themselves up.
Others are more determined and proactive in finding solutions.
Neither side is in the wrong, though: as mentioned, everyone faces negative situations differently.
It’s fair to say, however, that Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks is closer to the second group.
Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the offseason, he was presented with the ultimate challenge: overcoming cancer.
He had the right mindset from the start.
“Liam Hendriks: ‘I never looked at it as a ‘why me thing?’ I looked at as ‘why not me?’ I tend to have a more rosy perspective on life than gen pop so that was my process behind it. ‘I’ve got this. This is my next challenge,'” ESPN’s Jesse Rogers tweeted with Hendriks’ quotes.
Liam Hendriks: “I never looked at it as a ‘why me thing?’ I looked at as 'why not me?' I tend to have a more rosy perspective on life than gen pop so that was my process behind it. 'I’ve got this. This is my next challenge.'"
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) May 3, 2023
Hendriks knows that he had it worse than a lot of people, but he also had it better than some.
It’s all about perspective.
He recently announced that he beat cancer, and the team activated the next steps to get him on the field as soon as possible.
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said, on Wednesday, that the reliever will make four or five minor league rehab appearances before making his season debut.
Hendriks will make his rehab assignment debut later this week for Triple-A Gwinnett.
If everything goes according to the plan, he will make his 2023 debut in the middle of the month.
He will be starting his rehab assignment about four months after receiving his initial diagnosis.
He is a true warrior.
NEXT: White Sox Initiate Rebound With Major First Step
