University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Director of Athletics Judy Rose and 9-year-old Haley Cook met by chance nearly three years ago outside a meeting room in a North Carolina branch of the YMCA.

Neither realized they were heading to the same function, but that chance meeting sparked the special bond the two share today.

Rose recalls the first time she met Haley, while they were waiting for a YMCA meeting to begin. She struck up a conversation with Haley and her adoptive mother, Jene Cook.

"I see this little girl. She’s got casts on her legs. She’s in a frilly little dress. She’s very thin and she’s just talking a mile a minute," said Rose.

It wasn’t until the meeting began that the veteran athletics administrator realized that Haley and Jene were two of the three YMCA scholarship recipients who were there to share their stories. And at the time, Rose was mulling a proposal from the YMCA to name in her honor an endowed scholarship for children and families who needed services but could not afford to attend.

Rose said the two were on stage when Jene Cook looked her way and said, "You have no idea how much we thank you for allowing your name to be used for this so that people like us can join the YMCA. Haley needs it for the development of her legs."

"This child can’t help but win your heart," Rose said. "I was sitting there with tears in my eyes, and I said they could use my name. This is what it’s all about."

Since then, Rose and Haley have grown close. The trio generally hooks up monthly during the school year, usually at an athletics event or at the Y. Rose has provided Haley and Jene with tickets to most all of the Charlotte 49ers athletics contests, and they sit with her when they attend. Rose also has taken the pair courtside and introduced them to student-athletes, and they were her special guests when Charlotte hosted Conference USA’s women’s basketball championship last year.

"She’s not embarrassed or shy about talking and asking questions," said Rose. "She’s just radiant."

Rose admits she is surprised at the depth of the relationship that has formed between her and Haley. However, if what Rose says is true — that it’s the kids who get to her — then perhaps she shouldn’t be surprised. Haley’s story is as tragic as it is compelling. Born to a troubled teen-aged mother, Haley arrived at just 22 weeks’ gestation with multiple issues stemming primarily from cerebral palsy, excessive fluid in the brain and a major brain bleed. Although she’s only 9, Haley has endured about 300 surgeries, seven strokes and kidney stones. She is deaf in one ear and has to receive nourishment through a feeding tube in her stomach. She also suffers from attention deficit disorder and is bipolar.

Rose has high praise for Jene, Haley’s adoptive mother and a single parent, with whom she also has become friends. "Jene Cook is a saint because she knew the problems that Haley had when she adopted her, and she has grown children of her own, so the fact that she did this is unbelievable," Rose said.

The three also stay connected through e-mail and cards, especially when Haley is in the hospital. They also exchange the occasional gift, such as the picture of Haley that Rose proudly displays in her office. Another time, to mark the beginning of a new school year, Rose bought Haley a backpack stuffed with school supplies.

But one of the clearest demonstrations of just how close the two have become came last fall. In September, the YMCA honored Rose by announcing the newly established endowment scholarship in her name. Haley and Jene were there even though Haley had undergone surgery on her brain earlier that day.

"She told the doctors she had to get out of the hospital because she had to come to Judy Rose’s party," said Rose. "She just wins the hearts of the people she’s around."

Rose may have given her heart to Haley, but she’s picked up a few lessons along the way. She said one of the most important things she’s learned is to never take anything for granted. Being around Haley also has taught her to continue being sensitive to the needs of others.

"I had all the necessities and I had a very loving family," Rose said. "So many children today don’t have either one — and it’s a blessing if you have both. It’s our responsibility to share the blessings that we have."