From gymnastics to martial arts, his sister and brother love to compete. So, it was only natural that Liam discovered his own interest in sports.
The only difference is that Liam has limited use of his legs. He was born with a severe form of spina bifida called myelomeningocele.
“When Liam was being formed in utero, at a certain point, his spine stopped forming into a tube. So, the nerves were exposed through his back,” said his dad, Rob.
Within hours of being born, Liam had surgery to close his spine and back. The long-term effects of this neural tube disorder include nerve damage and differing degrees of paralysis.
Liam doesn’t let his inability to walk impact his goals. This 12-year-old has played wheelchair basketball since he was a toddler, and picked up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu several years ago.
“I like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because it’s ground fighting. You’re out of your wheelchair, so nobody knows I have spina bifida. They just know that I can’t move my feet,” said Liam.
He said he likes this activity because he easily blends in with everyone else. He also likes the challenge.
“What makes us most proud is not the particular activity or the individual accomplishments, but watching him push himself past where he thinks his limits are – and find that the limit is actually much further than he realized,” Rob said.
Liam’s family lives with this rule in mind: We don’t say we can’t.
Do what’s hard and never stop trying new things.
“You might have to do it a little differently than someone else, but it’s really fun to try a bunch of new activities. Everyone is going to have a hard time with different activities, but if you do things that seem hard, it will feel even better when you accomplish them,” said Liam.
Liam’s Shriners Children’s St. Louis team supports him and his family through the Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services department by fitting him with foot and ankle orthotics that straighten his feet under his legs. His feet turn in due to a diagnosis of clubfoot. He’s also had hip release surgery and physical therapy to help with long-term flexibility.
“Every single employee that we’ve met at Shriners; they meet you with a smile at the door. The physical therapist even molds his exercises around the sports that he plays and the things he wants to do. It’s incredible,” Rob said.
Liam has had the chance to connect with many other patients through his role as a Patient Ambassador, where there always seems to be a mindset commonality: Challenge yourself and stay optimistic.
“If you do things that seem hard, it will feel even better when you accomplish them,” said Liam.
Orthotist Lauren Lodes casts Liam's leg in a hospital clinic room.
Liam takes on an opponent on the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu mat.
Liam shoots a basket from his wheelchair during a basketball game.
Liam smiles in his wheelchair basketball chair, as a toddler.
Liam pretends to hold up a boulder during a family hike.
