How Be Better saved Hope swimmer Greta Gidley's life
ANN ARBOR - The Be Better Invite had layers of meaning for Hope College swimmer Greta Gidley.
The meet honors late Michigan swimmer and Holland native Ian Miskelley, who suffered from mental health issues and ultimately took his own life. His parents started Be Better in his honor to raise awareness for mental health issues in sports.
Gidley knew Miskelley and used to swim at the University of Michigan before transferring to Hope. She has dealt with her own mental health issues, some of which came to light at Michigan, which wasn't the right fit for her - and she was guided to Be Better.
So in addition to swimming to honor Miskelley, Gidley was also swimming back in a pool that was full of negative memories for her - and she was determined to leave with a positive one after Friday's Be Better Invite with Hope, Calvin and Michigan.
"Initially I was super nervous about going back to Michigan, knowing that it would stir up a lot of emotions for me," Gidley said. "I took a lot of time to pray about my purpose of being there. The night before the meet, I attended a worship night at my church in Holland, and we sang a song about how God was more than able, it says, "Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?' and that just really stuck out to me. I had to refocus my mind on all of the miracles that surrounded me."
Gidley, an All-American at Hope, swam well, taking second in the 100 IM in a non-scoring meet filled with fun events.
But two years ago, swimming was anything but fun. The pain and mental anguish got so bad for Gidley that she made an attempt to take her own life.
"Being able to swim, and feel good while surrounded by people who love and support me was something I couldn't even imagine two years ago. Around April of last year I went through a really hard time; it was the first time since I left Michigan that I had the time and space to reflect on what truly happened," Gidley said. "This space was extremely painful and sad but it was entirely necessary. During this time I had an attempt on my own life, I needed support and help more than ever and I was immediately directed to Be Better."
This is exactly why Miskelley's parents, Jill and Steve, started Be Better.
"I was connected with professionals who validated my feelings while giving me hope for a future. In one of these initial meetings, I told the doctor that I wouldn't ever be able to walk into that pool again," Gidley said. "Be Better held me up and provided me the supported that I needed at that time."
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Gidley not only walked into Canham Natatorium, but walked out feeling better.
"Swimming in this meet tonight meant more to me than I could ever adequately describe, I was celebrating the miracle of my own life, and the miracle of me going through the meet with confidence and joy, none of which would've been possible without God and Be Better," Gidley said. "I didn't want to cry and be sad tonight, because that isn't what it was all about; this meet is not about me. Hope swim and dive held a huge deck presence tonight, screaming and cheering on teammates more than I have ever seen in any team. How could I not celebrate this love and joy? My team fulfilled the purpose of this meet, being the ultimate best supports for one another. They made it incredibly easy for me to walk around on that pool deck with my head held high.
"I am loved and worthy, and so is each and every person on this earth. Don't forget to remind your people of that fact every once in a while."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: How Be Better saved Hope swimmer Greta Gidley's life
