Manalapan Girl, 13, Honored On Court During Rutgers' Big Win

MANALAPAN, NJ — A 13-year-old girl from Manalapan was saluted during the Rutgers women’s basketball victory against Iowa this past Sunday for her strength and bravery fighting a chronic pain condition.

The girl is Amanda Dietrich and she was celebrated as a “Shining Knight” during the major win by Rutgers on March 1.

In 2019, Dietrich was diagnosed with Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome, also known as AMPS, in 2019. AMPS is a condition that causes severe and chronic pain for every minute of every day.

After her diagnosis, she was admitted to the Chronic Pain Management Inpatient Program at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, owned by RWJBarnabas.

The ultimate goal of the program is to improve function and help patients return to their regular routines without any physical modifications or medications. The Children's Specialized program is designed specifically for children and adolescents, ages 9 to 21, afflicted by AMPS and other pain disorders.

Amanda spent over a month receiving regular physical, occupational and aqua therapy, along with psychological services that not only helped her develop coping mechanisms but also educated her about her condition and provided her with the tools she needed to move forward.

Amanda entered Children’s Specialized Hospital in a wheelchair and when it was time to leave, she walked out the doors with no assistance.

Since treatment, Amanda is back in Manalapan public schools and feeling better each day.

She still experiences flare ups of pain but she is utilizing the coping skills she learned at Children's Specialized and not dwelling on the pain, according to a spokesperson for RWJBarnabas. These coping skills have empowered Amanda to take back control of her life and get back to enjoying her favorite sports and activities like basketball, dance, art and drama.

The Rutgers' "Shining Knight of the Game" is a meaningful initiative designed to lift the spirits and shine the spotlight on a New Jersey pediatric patient, teenager or young adult who is battling an illness.

The program debuted during the Rutgers football season, and has extended to all Rutgers sports.

Surrounded by her family, Amanda, was saluted at center court for her bravery and strength to fight. She was brought out to mid-court during a timeout, where she was "knighted" by the Ruthers Scarlet Knight. Amanda was also saluted, raising her sword in triumph to a rousing ovation from the crowd.

RWJBarnabas Health is the official healthcare provider of Rutgers athletics.