Features / People

Hayden’s Condition And How It Affects Him

Hayden Quaker is a sophomore at West Perry High School. He was born with myelomeningocele L4L5, also known as Spina Bifida. This is a condition that affects the spine, and is apparent at birth. Meaning as he was developing in the uterus, his spinal cord was outside of his body. The location of this condition can be anywhere along the baby's spinal cord, most commonly on the lower back (lumbar and sacral areas). The nerves in the sac are damaged resulting in the disabilities of loss of feeling in the legs and the patient not being able to move their legs. The cause of this condition is unknown, but doctors point to genetics.

How Does He Deal With His Condition?                                                  

One quality of Hayden is that he is very open about his disability, and does not try to ignore what is different about him. When asked if he considers himself to be open about his condition, he says, “Oh yeah, very. I'm talkative, I'm able to joke about it, and I can just say whatever because I'm knowledgeable about it.” 

Hayden is brave and confident, he is not afraid to share his experiences and uniqueness with others. By having these characteristics of himself, he also helps to create awareness and understanding about his condition. 

What Are His Greatest Strengths?

His dad was also interviewed and was asked this same question about Hayden. His response was, “His mental toughness and personality. He just doesn't seem to let the little things affect him and he just kind of goes with the flow, he doesn't want to be different than anybody else. Also his ability to just brush things off, and deal with what comes to him.”

His dad says that even with his disability, “He is a very dominant athlete and mentally tough, very athletic.” 

During the interview with Hayden, he was asked what he believes are his greatest strengths. He stated, “I would say just my upper body strength, my work ethic, and my knowledge.”

3 Words To Describe Hayden

Evan Shepard has known Hayden Quaker since second grade from wrestling. He considers Hayden to be a very good friend of his. He was asked to describe Hayden in three words. He said, “He is tough, has courage, and is resilient.” 

Something else he likes about him is that he is very funny.

His dad Theodore Quaker was asked the same question. His response was, “He's funny, definitely funny. I would say he is also motivated, and physically strong.” Both interviewees stated great qualities about Hayden. 

What Is Wrestling Like For Hayden?

His dad was asked how he encourages Hayden in wrestling, and also in everyday life. His response was, “I pretty much don't treat him any differently than I treat anybody else. I've always told him from the time he was little that things happen for a reason and he can't use them as excuses.”

Another way he motivated him was by letting him play football and rugby. 

He stated, “He wrestles, and I just treated him the same as anyone else.” Evan Shepard was also asked how he personally encourages Hayden in wrestling. His answer to this question was, “When I'm his partner in wrestling I just push him to be his best and become a better and stronger wrestler.”

Evan also treats him the same as he would anybody else, and overall encourages him to become better is every way.

How Hayden Inspires Others          

The qualities of Hayden greatly impact the people around him because he proves that you can achieve whatever you want through dedication and hard work. Both interviewees, his dad and Evan Shepard, were asked how Hayden influences and inspires them. Evan responded with, “He has inspired me because he can excel in a sport (wrestling) even with having a challenge that other people typically don't have.”

A way that he inspires his dad is his work ethic. Hayden does not let his condition affect him and he doesn't just want to be a part of the sport, he wants to be exceptionally good at it.

How Hayden Encourages Himself

It is known that Hayden resembles and embodies authenticity. Despite facing the challenge of being an athlete with a disability, he remains honest about his condition. Hayden does not let his challenges define him, and he sees life through a positive outlook. He inspires others, but how does he encourage himself to be his very best?

A way he does this is by, “Encouraging myself to work harder and to be aware that I have to put in more effort to accomplish a goal that average people don't have to work as hard for.” 

Overall, Hayden is dedicated and determined to achieve his goals and inspire others with his drive.

Conclusion

Hayden’s story shows the limitless potential of individuals, and how much he inspires the people around him. His athletic abilities and achievements prove how much of a role model he is, and serve as a reminder that disabilities don't define people. Hayden Quaker surely represents that capabilities are limitless.