Meet Aiden McVicker
Aiden McVicker is the 8 year old son of Jamey and Amy McVicker. He resides in their Cameron home with two siblings, Avery 5, and Addison 2. Aiden has an extraordinary spirit and an unmatched love of life that the world needs to know.
Aiden was born on May 4th, 2001 with
bilateral anophthalmia. This
means that he was born without eyes or any eye structure (optic chiasm,
nerve, etc.). As a result, Aiden
does not posses vision or light perception.
His treatment, as of now, concentrates on protecting the ocular
cavity and associated sinuses by preventing the frontal bone from collapsing
in on the voided area. This
treatment has entailed four surgeries thus far.
The most recent involved using “hydrogel expanders”, a cutting edge
prosthesis for the
Aiden’s spine developed neuromuscular scoliosis at the
age of 4. He endured a
corrective brace for 1 year with no improvement.
In June of 2006, it was deemed necessary that surgical intervention
was needed before the curve progressed more, or Aiden’s quality of life
would be diminished and drastically reduced.
While undergoing testing for the corrective spine surgery, it was
found that his lower spinal cord would need to be untethered to allow the
spinal cord to be extended.
This
meant another spine surgery in October 2006 to prepare for “the big one.”
In January of 2007, this 6 year old boy then underwent a 6 hour “growth rod” spine surgery, comprised of 2 rods inserted on each side of the spine. They are then anchored in the hips and upper vertebrae by screws. He spent 5 days in ICU on a ventilator and other support monitors. On the 6th day he was released to a regular room and was home the next day. Biannual surgeries are required as Aiden grows. During these procedures, an adjustable “connector” is accessed to lengthen, compensating for growth. Between 11-13 years of age, one final surgery to fuse his spine and stop the growing process will be necessary.
Aiden’s mom, Amy, is employed as an accounts
payable/tax clerk with the City of
Aiden is the most fun-loving, trusting and hard-working kid one could meet. The moment you hold him, see him smile or hear his giggle, you realize that he gives so much of himself to you. He cannot verbally express his strong spirit, but he knows how to love even though he has had to fight for every second to do it! Aces Fore Aiden was established to honor him and his spirit. It is the wish of his parents that he may touch as many people possible and that his All-American spirit be embodied in us all.
Proceeds from the tournament benefit The Aiden McVicker Charitable Fund, which assists specialized schools & organizations, such as CCVI of KC, and UCP of St. Joseph, etc. Monies will also be used to assist families in the area needing assistance for educational classes/conferences, adaptive devices, etc. for their child’s special needs. Other donations to include but not limited to: Assistance for camps, competitions, other sports/cultural booster activities, and scholarships.