Hayden swings for the fences with the help of MercyOne Genesis

Learn more about MercyOne Pediatric Therapy

Hayden Bancroft is sports crazy. When the six-year-old from Bettendorf is standing idle, which is rare, he is usually mimicking a swing with an imaginary golf club.

His next favorite thing is swinging a baseball bat and running the bases for his Challenger League team. On Friday night, Hayden, the August MercyOne Genesis Home Runs for Life honoree, will have the chance to live out a dream as he rounds the bases at Modern Woodmen Park.

Hayden has been working with the therapists at MercyOne Genesis Bettendorf Pediatric Therapy (GOPEDS) even before he was officially diagnosed as an infant with a neurological disorder called polymicrogyria and a genetic disorder called DiGeorge syndrome.

In Hayden’s case, DiGeorge syndrome affects his physical development. Polymicrogyria is a rare brain abnormality that affects Hayden's left-sided motor skills.

“He’s been coming to GOPEDS since infancy, and we've helped him progress from his initial motor-skill milestones, such as rolling and reaching, to the point where he was walking independently,” said Katie Powers, MercyOne Genesis pediatric physical therapist. “He still has deficits, and if you compared him to peers his age, he tries really hard to keep up with them and do everything they do.”

He wants to play

Hayden is a whirling dervish whom his parents and therapists need to keep an eye on because he doesn’t view his diagnosis as a hindrance. He only sees new opportunities to explore and have fun.

“Underneath all of that impulsivity is just motivation. He wants to move. He wants to play. He wants to be a kid. He has a brother and a sister he wants to keep up with and do everything they do. And that's gotten him as far as he is right now,” added Katie.

“He loves to be included. He loves to interact. He loves golf, baseball, and basketball. He likes to do it all. We're so thankful for the GOPEDS team. We're really blessed in this community to have the resources we have, which have really helped him progress, grow, and make Hayden - Hayden,” said Michelle Bancroft, Hayden’s mom.

Hayden works with a physical therapist, a speech therapist and an occupational therapist at GOPEDS.  

“He can be stubborn, but they push him to progress, and I think that’s the key to why he has advanced so far with his diagnosis.  They also push us. Sometimes we try to limit him and say, ‘Oh, no, he's not ready for this,’ and then he's out running, doing it because they have been working on it at GOPEDS. It’s awesome to see how far he's come, and we're excited to see what he can do in the future, too,” Michelle said.

David Bancroft, Hayden’s dad, is consistently impressed by his son’s determination and competitive drive to succeed at whatever he sets his mind to. This includes perfecting his one-armed putting stroke.

“I cut a putter (golf club) down for him, and he will stand in the living room and putt on the little mat for as long as you let him. When he gets up in the morning, the first thing he wants to do is putt. I am a competitive person, but I don’t know if I ever had the drive and desire he has,” said David. 

Communicating with the world

Hayden is nonverbal, but he understands everything you say to him. He communicates in numerous ways, including a mix of modified sign language, body gestures, and a communication device.

Hayden works with GOPEDS pediatric speech therapist Amy Wethington to find his voice using the ‘communication device.’ Amy describes the device as a “fancy iPad.” Hayden can find the word, represented as a picture, press the button, and the device will say the word for him.

“We are helping him expand his language skills and form complete and more thoughtful sentences with his device,” Amy said.

“One of our goals in speech therapy is to help him tell a story about what he has done, or what he wants to do.” 

“He’s been able to achieve more than people thought he could, given his medical diagnosis and the abnormalities in his brain structure. But he can communicate a lot for a kid who doesn’t use any words,” added Katie. 

Left-handed high fives only

In addition to his physical and speech therapies, Hayden receives care from Erica Jansen, a pediatric occupational therapist. 

Because of his left-side paralysis caused by polymicrogyria, simple tasks like putting on his shirt can be difficult. Erica uses various games and challenges to help build strength and dexterity in his left arm and hand. One trick she uses is to never let him give her a high-five with his right hand.

“We are just so proud of him. We weren't sure what the future would look like, and now we can't imagine a day without him. He brings so much joy and laughter to our lives,” said Michelle. 

“He knows no strangers. He makes everyone feel loved, and everyone loves him. I’ve never met a kid who brings so much joy to others.”  

Friday night, at the end of the second inning, will be a lovefest as the sports-crazy kid and his family circle the bases while being showered with the cheers of Bandits’ fans.