A boy's life The loss of a leg hasn't stopped Bryson Hummel from great achievements in the water and out
As Bryson Hummel runs, plays and tussles with his second grade friends at Berlin Elementary, to them, he is simply known as Bryson. While that may not seem like a monumental achievement, considering what Bryson went through nearly two years ago, and considering that he lost a leg in a lawn mower accident, what Bryson would be known as with friends and schoolmates was a big deal to his parents, Beau and Nicole.But take one look at the buoyant, 7-year-old with the broad grin, and it's easy to see why he is simply one of the kids at school.
"Bryson has never felt sorry for himself or felt defeated because of what happened to him two years ago," said his dad, Beau Hummel. "He's had such a great attitude, and for him, it has always been a focus on what he can accomplish rather than what he can't do. It's a very contagious trait. That's why, in his case with his friends at school, it has always been Bryson our friend rather than Bryson, the kid with the prosthetic leg."
While Bryson has shown the uncanny ability to fit right in with the rest of the kids despite his loss, he has also exhibited an amazing skill in the pool, where he backstroked his way to four titles at the Ohio Wheelchair Games May 8. The young swimmer took home the gold in the 25 and 50-yard free style and 25 and 50-yard backstroke events. In doing so, he shattered his personal best times to put himself in position to qualify to compete at the National Junior Disability Championships in Chicago, Ill. July 17-24. To get to that level, he must perform well at the upcoming West Virginia Challenged Sports Championship.
"Bryson's times in all four events are well under the qualifying times, so we have high hopes that he will get to go to nationals," said Beau Hummel.
The Hummels began giving Bryson swimming lessons at an early age, even before the accident. After going through the traumatic experience more than two years ago, they figured why stop with the lessons. Through a friend of a friend, they learned about an adaptive sports swim team in Wooster. The swim program is part of The Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio, an organization whose mission is to increase awareness and introduce adaptive sports to individuals with physical disabilities. The hope of the program is that it will help those with disabilities pursue an active and healthy lifestyle, experience increased self-esteem and pride in their ability, and enjoy camaraderie with other sports program members.
When Bryson began to get involved with the Wooster-based group two times every week, he fell in love with the program. Executive director Lisa Followay took quickly to Bryson, as did everyone else at the YMCA. When the swim and diving coach at Ohio Northern, who is also a Paralympic Games coach, paid a visit and watched the members at work, she had some sage advice for the Hummels.
"She told us to keep that kid in the pool," said Hummel. "That's all Bryson needed to hear."
Bryson began working with his coach, Judy Montelione, and his times started getting better and better, but never did they drop more than the days leading into the Ohio games.
The young swimmer carved nearly 20 seconds off his fastest time in the freestyle 50, going from a 1:06 down to 56 seconds in practice two days before the event, and then to 44 seconds at the meet. His dad said that Bryson thrives on the competition and loves the limelight, complete with the cheering crowd. That love of competition led to his being named the Rookie of the Year at the Ohio games.
"He loves to perform for people," said Hummel of his son. "He loves to compete, no matter what he is doing, even if it's beating his sister up the stairs at home."
Should Bryson meet the qualifying times at the W.Va. games, he will move on to nationals, where he will compete against youngsters in the same age bracket he is in. However, Bryson qualifies for the 7-10 year-old group, meaning that he will be one of the younger competitors in the pool. Not to worry, however, said his dad. "He'll go out and compete and do his best, and whatever happens, happens," said Hummel. "That's the important thing. He just loves the atmosphere, the big crowds, and competing, and he is looking forward to the challenge of competing against the best in his age bracket."
Bryson has had numerous surgeries on his leg, and is now at the point where he does not have any major surgeries scheduled in the foreseeable future. He will, however, be fitted with a new leg, since he has worn out the leg he was originally fitted with close to two years ago.
"The doctor said that was a great thing, because it means he is using it a lot," said Hummel.
Whether it's in the pool, or on the ball field, where Bryson is currently competing in the Holmes County Farm "B" Little League, Beau and Nicole continue to seek opportunities for Bryson to compete, not just where he can be successful, but where he can be challenged, can learn and can enjoy being a 7-year-old boy, right along with the rest of the kids.
"He's the same Bryson he has always been," said Hummel. "Right now, he's just living large, and we want him to pursue the things that he wants to do. This isn't our life, it's his, and we want him to be happy doing the things he enjoys doing."
For now, that is making a dive, a splash and an all-out push to be the first to touch the wall at the other side of the pool, as he continues to do what young boys do: Enjoy living large.
For more on the Adaptive Sports program of Ohio, go to the website at http://www.ohioadaptivesports.com.