Aidan’s Story

“I used to be one of the tallest kids in my class. I was younger than most of my classmates, but for a while, that didn’t matter. I was fast, athletic, and confident — whether it was soccer, basketball, or just grabbing something from the top shelf at home, height gave me a quiet kind of advantage. That changed in third grade. I didn’t notice it right away. At first, I just thought the kids at my new school were tall. Then, year after year, they kept growing — and I didn’t. We asked doctors, but the answers were always the same: “He’s just a late bloomer,” or “It’s probably genetics.” So I waited. And while I waited, everyone around me kept getting taller. I stopped being the kid who could outjump people on the basketball court. I stopped getting picked first. I stopped being asked to help. I felt like I was shrinking. It wasn’t until seventh grade that I was finally diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency after four hours of testing. It explained everything.

I started treatment knowing I wouldn’t magically catch up, but it gave me a second chance. Slowly, I began to grow again. Looking back, treatment changed everything. I got to play the sports I loved again — cross country, swimming, basketball, and baseball. I even got to be part of the baseball team that made the state tournament as a third baseman. More importantly, I started feeling like myself again. Not every kid gets that chance. I was lucky. My condition was caught. My family could afford treatment. But I still think about the kids who don’t get diagnosed. The ones who can’t afford care. The ones still waiting for an answer.”

Aidan before Growth Hormone Deficiency