John is a 14-year-old young man who attends Logos Public Charter School. He has an incredible zest for life and often is ready to be more active than what his body will allow.

John was born three months early with several medical challenges. His main challenge was a condition called amniotic band syndrome. This condition causes bands to wrap around body parts while in the womb.

After John was born, he was emergency air lifted to Portland. The bands had wrapped around his leg so tightly that it amputated his right leg. Shriner’s Hospital had to remove a bone that was still attached to his leg.

John stayed hospitalized for 3 months while doctors nursed his leg and monitored his lungs, that were still underdeveloped. He is still very susceptible to getting bronchitis and asthma and must be extra careful if he gets a flu or cold.

John also faces challenges with having a club foot, underdeveloped hand and fingers and deals with neck and spine laxity. His neck will go out by merely jumping, which ultimately forced him to give up wrestling.

John lived in four different homes before the age of two. He even lived in Hawthorne Park and slept under trees at one point. John finally found the love and support he needed after he came to his family through the gift of adoption.

At times, John is not able to use his prosthetic and will instead use a knee scooter. Even with this, he still wants to be “Evil Knievel.” There truly is no stopping this dare devil.

Besides his compromised health, John deals with hidden disabilities as well; fetal alcohol syndrome and behavioral sensory disorder, as well as ADHD. However, John still shines bright and brings so much joy to everyone he meets. He truly is a warrior.

John will be adopted as the Sparrow to North Medford High School. NMHS students will work hard to earn money for John through sponsored community service.