ST. JOHN | Hayley Butcher has two dreams.

One is to make the Olympics as a trampoliner.

The other is to help someone else with similar challenges as herself reach the same heights.

Butcher, 18, of St. John is one of just three women to represent the United States in the trampoline at the World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships on Nov. 7-15 in St. Petersburg, Russia. She qualified for the coveted third spot by way of her performances at the U.S. Elite Challenge (May 8-10, Ft. Smith, Ariz.), the Visa Championships (Aug. 12-15, Dallas) and the Final Selection Event (Sept. 25-26, Las Vegas).

That's a big leap for someone at such a young age who could have ended up in a wheelchair.

"I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when I was 4," Butcher said. "About that time I started doing gymnastics to stay flexible."

Butcher is a freshman at Valparaiso University. She's taking premed with aspirations of becoming a pediatrician -- a profession of which she's familiar.

"Maybe I could give back by helping someone the same way I was helped," Butcher said. "There are a lot of children diagnosed with the same problem. Someone needs to be there for them to keep them going ... make sure they never give up."

Butcher trains at Midwest Training and Ice Center in St. John, owned and operated by her family. Naturally, Butcher feels at home while training there nearly 30 hours a week. But her coach, Oleg Fedosov, says she should take some of that confidence on the road.

"Here (at Midwest), she trains very well," Fedosov said. "But in competition, she has to trust herself more. What you do here should be the same thing you do over there."

That may be easier said than done.

"I just make myself too nervous at competitions," Butcher said.

In his heyday, Fedosov was a multiple Russian Federation and European champion in the trampoline. Though long since retired from competition -- and entertainment as a former Moscow Circus and Cirque du Soleil performer -- Fedosov has dreams himself.

"My goal is to train an Olympic champion," said Fedosov, who will be part of the U.S. coaching staff in St. Petersburg. "I'm already recognized among other coaches, but that would help even more."

If Hayley doesn't eventually become an Olympic champion, there's always Hannah, Hayley's 14-year-old sister who also trains with Fedosov.

"I'm so happy for her," Hannah said of Hayley's selection.

Hayley is grateful for the support from Hannah, mother Eileen, father Kevin, and younger brother Beau (17), who doesn't do trampoline or tumbling.

"He plays hockey," Hayley said.