Nineteen-year-old Janet Mata (center) is shown with her parents Hortencia and Reynaldo as well as her beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Mei-Ling. (Staff photo by Michael Rodriguez)
By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
It was June 2010, and Janet Mata, then 17, had just graduated from San Benito High School – a feat previously believed unlikely as doctors’ initial prognoses indicated that the home-bound girl suffering from an incurable muscle disease since the age of 4 would die by the time she reached 15.
She showed them.
In fact, Janet’s accomplishment despite her increasingly frail condition – brought on by her disease, dermatomyositis – was so inspiring that the San Benito News article featuring her courageous battle against the illness inspired several acts of kindness from readers, including San Benito resident and dog breeder Olga Rodriguez who donated a female Yorkshire Terrier to the teenager.
That puppy, which the Matas have since named Mei-Ling, has in turn provided inspiration for Janet during yet another dark hour.
Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the Nov. 27 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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