Madi Ramirez, a resilient 17-year-old from LeClaire, Iowa, is set to shine as the honorary captain of the Hawkeyes. This remarkable opportunity is not just a testament to Madi’s indomitable spirit but also a celebration of her incredible journey. She is the Iowa Hawkeye’s honorary captain in the NCAA football game against the Wisconsin Badgers on the 14th of October.

She has been battling against spinal muscular atrophy since the age of 2. Despite her struggles, now, she’s facing a wonderful future ahead. Let’s dive deep into the newest honorary captain of the Hawkeyes.

The Path to Hawkeyes’ Honorary Captain

Madi’s journey into the spotlight as an honorary captain began with a diagnosis that changed the course of her life. Born prematurely, she faced a daunting challenge from her very first breath. At the tender age of 2, when most toddlers take their first steps, Madi struggled to walk.

Her parents, Tom and Megan Ramirez received the devastating diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy. This is a rare and progressive muscle-weakening disease that is like ALS but affects children.

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Determined to see their daughter thrive, Tom and Megan embarked on a quest to help Madi overcome the odds stacked against her. Tom’s ingenuity led to the creation of “Madi bars,” a set of miniature parallel bars designed to support Madi in regaining her ability to walk. Through unwavering dedication and hard work, by the age of 4, Madi was taking her first unassisted steps. By the time she turned 5, she was attending kindergarten without the aid of a wheelchair. The Ramirezes remained steadfast in their belief that Madi could be the one to defy the odds and carve her path to success.

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Madi’s journey was far from smooth. Countless medical appointments with neurologists, pulmonologists, nutritionists, and orthopedic specialists at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital marked her path. In addition to spinal muscular atrophy, Madi was also diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and neurogenic bladder. Despite these formidable obstacles, Madi’s spirit remained unbroken.

Madi’s inspiring journey from struggles to triumph

As Madi matured, her health continued to decline. Seizures, starting at the age of 11, coupled with muscle atrophy, led to a series of setbacks, including falling out of her wheelchair and knocking out her front teeth. She had grand mal seizures daily, requiring her to wear a concussion-prevention headband to school. Madi’s personality underwent a transformation, with anger and frustration becoming her constant companions.

During these turbulent times, her care team recommended further testing, which unearthed an unexpected second diagnosis – 15q duplication. This is another rare abnormality unrelated to her earlier condition. This diagnosis brought along a new set of challenges, including developmental delay, intellectual disability, and seizures.

Despite the daunting odds, the Ramirezes refused to succumb to despair. Madi’s dedicated medical team worked tirelessly to find a drug combination that would keep her seizure-free. With unwavering determination and access to cutting-edge treatments, Madi’s life began to take a turn for the better. Her smile returned, and she gradually reclaimed her happy-go-lucky self.

Now, at the age of 17, Madi’s story has taken a remarkable turn. She is a high school senior with a promising future. She is famous for her love for math, participation in school plays, involvement in the Sparkles cheerleading squad, and work at a daycare center and her school’s coffee shop. Importantly, Madi has become an honorary captain of the Hawkeyes, a well-deserved recognition of her unwavering spirit and incredible journey.

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