A Boothbay Region High School junior is so anxious to become a veterinarian, she is starting college early. Denise Stover, 17, of Boothbay has been accepted into the University of Maine Early Acceptance Program and starts college this fall.

As a future veterinarian, Stover must complete four years of undergraduate study in animal and veterinary sciences and four years of post-graduate studies to receive a doctor of veterinarian sciences degree. Stover discovered UMaine’s early acceptance program after inquiring about more rigorous academic programs. School officials told her how a past BRHS student went to college a year early.

After reviewing the program, Stover decided it met both her short and long-term academic goals. The program provides a challenging academic curriculum this fall and allows her a head start in her long journey toward becoming a veterinarian. “I’m super excited. I’ve always wanted to skip a grade and this program also allows me to graduate and march with my high school class next spring which was also important to me.”

Stover is an animal lover and wanted to be a veterinarian from an early age. As a child, she became close to her grandmother’s dog, Max. She played with him three days a week for 10 years until his death. Stover learned at a young age what it felt like to lose a special friend.

“That was a hard lesson to learn. We were very close,” Stover said.

Stover knew even before she began playing with Max that she wanted to heal sick animals. “Before I knew what it was called I wanted to treat animals. It’s been something I always wanted to do.”

Her passion for animals continues as she currently cares for two dogs: Sparks, an 11-year-old Husky mix, and Lila, an 18-month-old German shepherd and boxer mix. But animals haven’t been the only passion in Stover’s young life. Sports played a major role until 2015.

She began playing sports at age 6 in various Boothbay Region YMCA travel and club teams. As a freshman, she played on the field hockey and basketball teams. In 2013, she played on Boothbay Region Elementary School’s undefeated girls eighth grade basketball team.

“I remember always having a ball, bat or a field hockey stick in my hand. It was a big part of my life. Sport was always my outlet, but that all changed drastically.”

Throughout her childhood, a series of injuries and illnesses curtailed her playing time. Stover estimated she has dislocated her shoulder over 1,000 times. The problem became so severe, her shoulders would no longer stay in place, requiring two surgeries.

“It seemed during sports season my body was always failing apart and no one knew why,” she said.

The mysterious cause was finally diagnosed in 2015 as a genetic tissue disorder known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It creates a laxity in Stover’s joints, making them flexible and susceptible to dislocation. Stover had never heard of the syndrome before the diagnosis. “No. Nobody’s ever heard of it,” she said.

There is no treatment for EDS, but doctors recommend patients remain physically active. Stover works out at the Boothbay Region YMCA, but competitive sports are out. Stover no longer plays field hockey, basketball, or tennis.

Had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome not struck, Stover would have likely been a member of the Boothbay Region girls basketball team which played for state and regional championships the past two years. “Playing sports was my favorite activity and watching the team go to states without me made me want to cry,” Stover said.

Her outlet now is planning for the future. After being accepted as a UMaine student, she is turning her energies toward paying for college. Stover faces challenges other incoming UMaine freshmen don’t. She doesn’t qualify for scholarships, grants, or financial aid since she isn’t a high school graduate. She may qualify for financial aid through the University of Maine.

Her family is looking at fundraising options to pay the $18,000 tuition. “We’ve overcome a lot in a short period of time so I have faith we will do this one way or another,” said Jessica Stover.

While the Stovers have overcome several challenges most families don’t experience, Jessica Stover faces a familiar one parents experience each fall: sending her child to college. She worries about her daughter’s health and that her daughter might wake up unable to move her shoulder.

“It’s frightening,” said Jessica Stover. “Denise will be 17 on campus with a lot of older students. She will be far away, and it’s a big change, and a big step for the both of us.”

Denise Stover turns 18 in December.