Mission Accomplished: Leyton's Haley Succeeds In Basketball Return

Many people in the Cheyenne County area remember the story of how Dalton resident Drew Haley badly injured his knee in the Leyton Warrior Football Team's home opener at the end of August in 2018. The injury resulted in his right leg being amputated from the knee due to severe damage to the artery that feeds blood to the lower leg. From that point on, Drew and the entire Haley family have undergone a journey that they didn't seek, but in many ways has broadened and enriched their lives.

After the injury, the Haley family quickly learned that the entire community was there for support, and as time progressed also learned that more support and help would come from people outside of the Cheyenne county area as well as from national support groups providing services for people in Drew's situation.

Support for the Haley family came from everywhere, including from Mark Wickard, owner of Wickard Heating and Plumbing in Bridgeport. An amputee himself, Wickard contacted the Haley family and ordered and installed the necessary equipment to assist an amputee with getting around in the home. Wickard made sure the project was completed prior to Drew coming home from the hospital to make his adjustment back home as easy as possible.

The first challenge after coming home was for Drew and the entire family to accept what had happened and adjust to the challenges they would face during his recovery and rehabilitation. Drew's father Matt Haley noted how Drew's attitude helped him during that time of adjustment, in particular how Drew was sad about what happened, but not mad. Sadness can be overcome after time, while anger is an emotion that often prevents people from moving on and dealing with a life changing situation.

"We never really thought about 'Why Drew?' or 'Why Us?' and Drew's positive attitude really helped me focus on moving forward," said Matt. "The amount of support we have received has been incredible. Being an amputee is an expensive club to belong to, and no one ever wants to join it, but when you do, the number of people that reach out to help is amazing."

Drew's mother Alison Haley stressed how Drew setting specific goals for himself has aided his recovery.

"He had goals set up before he even left the hospital-small, medium then big in monthly increments on out, so instead of being upset and allowing depression to overtake him he kept focusing on getting back to the things he did before. One of those things that was very important to Drew was to get back and play basketball in his senior year," she said.

Haley received his first prosthetic in December of 2018 through the Hanger Clinic in Aurora, Co. He then moved on to a Filluar All-Pro prosthetic fitted with a sports foot for athletic use in the summer of 2019. The new prosthetic was made possible by Amputee Blade Runners, an organization which gives people the opportunity to have prosthetics made specifically for athletic use. Many people are familiar with prosthetic blades for runners, but Drew needed a sports foot with a heel so he could move in all directions while blades are only useful for running forward.

Haley also received a grant to attend the NubAbility Camp in DuQoin, Illinois, where he was able to train for four days specifically in basketball, and was coached and instructed by coaches that also had limb differences. The coaches' own personal experiences with adjusting to a prosthetic made a tremendous difference in Haley's return to basketball.

"It really helped me adapt to the changes I had to make in my game. Before, I considered myself a shooting guard and not a big man, but now I focus on getting big and establishing myself inside for layups instead of outside shots," Drew said.

He's also had to compensate for not being able to push off or jump with his right leg, and he's learning to anticipate where the ball and the play are going to compensate for his prosthetic. And he's also had to play through pain, as his leg has not yet reduced to its final size, requiring constant adjustment to the socket where his leg sits in the prosthetic. Haley often has to check his leg for blisters or sores during games as the skin where his leg contacts the socket will not develop calluses like on hands or the bottom of feet.

Growing up in a small town, Drew is surrounded by friends that have known him all of his life, and know when he might need some encouragement, and when he needs to be treated just like anybody else.

"My friends really picked me up when I needed it, but continued to treat the same as before, which is what I wanted and needed. I don't want to be treated differently. One of the best things that happened was in the beginning of the school year we were in gym class and I was in a wheelchair. I shot a basketball at the hoop and missed badly, and one of my friends yelled out 'Well, that sucked!' which was great. I needed some kind of negativity in my life," he laughed.

The affable 18-year-old made playing basketball in his senior year his goal, but as time progressed that goal started to become more specific. A goal that started with playing basketball evolved into playing effectively, then eventually playing every possible minute that he was available.

"It wasn't going to be enough just to suit up, but to play and be effective, and be available to play as much as possible. He's only missed one half of a game due to issues with his prosthetic," His father Matt, who also is the assistant coach of the Leyton boy's basketball team, said.

Drew's season started slowly as he adjusted to his new role and dealing with his prosthetic. But as the games progressed and his comfort level returned, he started to score more and get more minutes of playing time. On January 11 against Hay Springs, he finally broke out and put it all together, scoring 26 points in a 63-to-56 victory. Drew said of the game, "My leg was feeling ok and I decided to really push myself because we were short handed that night and I wanted to help the team. I just felt like I was doing everything a little bit better that night and I was so happy to get that win."

His mother Alison recalled the game as an emotional moment that showed how far Drew had come.

"After the game he said to me, 'I feel like my old self. It wasn't like I was playing with a prosthetic, I was just playing basketball,' and it just made tears stream down my face. He wasn't just on the floor, he was competing and winning," she said.

Drew Haley had a goal of playing basketball in his senior year, and not only did he get suited up and on the court, he's been a key ingredient in a solid season for the Warriors, and has established himself as a force in the paint and on the boards. An effort that required the support of an entire community, the unwavering devotion of family, and the encouragement and assistance of people all around the country to help Drew get back on the court has come to fruition.

Mission Accomplished.