Meet Liam, a 12-year-old patient at Shriners Children’s St. Louis, born with myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida. This condition affects sensation in his legs, leaving him without feeling from the knees down. Despite these challenges, Liam has worked with his care team at Shriners Children’s to pursue his love for sports and enjoy all the activities he’s passionate about.

Using a wheelchair to navigate daily life, Liam stays active and resilient, practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu—a sport he’s embraced despite the effects of his condition.

In addition to Jiu-Jitsu, Liam’s passion for movement has led him to explore other sports, including basketball, which he began playing at just three years old. And he’s always ready for a dance floor, where he can balance on his hands and show off his moves. Liam’s dedication to trying new things and his fearless attitude exemplify his belief that overcoming obstacles brings great reward. He’s an inspiring example of how, with determination, challenges can lead to incredible achievements.

Reflecting his determination and positive spirit, Liam shared his advice for other kids facing their own challenges:

“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.”