Ryan Wolak
Though having one leg may not be viewed as a strength by most, spending time with Ryan may convince you otherwise. Ryan, 11, has Fibular Hemimelia, a condition leaving him without a fibula bone in his right leg. If you ask Ryan about his leg, however, you may get a tall tale about a shark attack. Ryan loves to make people laugh when they notice his missing leg instead of feeling awkward and even has a shirt that says “Leg Story: $10”.
Ryan keeps busier than most children his age. As a sixth grader at Christ, Prince of Peace School in St. Louis, Ryan enjoys participating in volleyball, baseball and speech team. He even won last year’s Geography Bee. Outside of school, he participates in DASA (Disabled Athletes Sports Association) where he practices downhill skiing, archery, tennis and sled hockey. Ryan also has three 5K races and a kids’ triathlon under his belt. Ryan also is an exceptional pianist and a Boy Scout.
Perhaps most notable is Ryan’s enthusiasm for sharing his story with others. He has spoken at other schools to children of all ages about his activities and even his prosthetic legs.
“I can’t help but think that Ryan was chosen to be the one without a leg because he brings such clarity that missing a leg isn’t the end all be all of life,” says his mother, Megan. “It’s a bad attitude that is disabling.”