Unstoppable!

Student’s unbridled spirit inspires others

Jaysen+Justice+high+jumps+competitively+%0Awith+a+titanium+rod+in+his+right+leg.++Image+courtesy+Justice.

Jaysen Justice high jumps competitively with a titanium rod in his right leg. Image courtesy Justice.

David Bui, Editor in Chief

LHS sophomore Jaysen Justice is an inspiration to others.

As a little tike, Lancaster High School sophomore, Jaysen Justice experienced a negative reaction to a flu shot that basically caused his right leg to stop growing. Throughout his life, he has endured numerous surgical procedures to lengthen his leg. Despite that, the energetic 15-year-old has never let his handicap stop him from achieving his goal and inspiring others to persevere.

“Jaysen is a great friend and a huge inspiration,” said Jacob Deuscher, a sophomore at LHS and one of Justice’s best friends.

“He’s overcome countless struggles. The fact that he has the determination to keep going is incredible. His example is one of the reasons which I appreciate all the good things in life because I know that I could be far worse,” he said.

Justice has undergone limb lengthening surgery in order to try to stabilize equal length between both of his legs. He is the first person to have such surgery under the age of ten years old. An eight-inch titanium rod was implanted into his right leg.

X-ray of Jaysen Justice’s right leg with a titanium rod that expanded to lengthen his leg. Photo courtesy Justice.

Most of his leg lengthening was done on his own using a remote control-like device that extends the rod to expand and lengthen the leg. The leg is lengthened by opposing magnets acting upon the rod.

Justice is such an inspiration, that Nationwide Children’s Hospital features a video about him on its website. The video explains the surgical procedures he has endured beginning to when he first began the leg-lengthening process.

Throughout his life, he has had to wear leg braces, a lift, and a block under his shoe as he was growing. During these formative years, Justice never complained or used his handicap as an excuse, in fact, because of her son’s extensive history of medical treatment, Justice’s mother decided to begin a career in the medical field.

“He showed courage and strength throughout his life,” said Amanda Justice, Jaysen’s mother.

“One of the reasons I became a nurse was to give back to children and families,” his mother said.

As of now, Justice’s right leg is even with his left leg and has gained more muscle. Currently, he is competing in high jump and pole vaulting with the LHS track team.

“Jaysen provides a strong positive example to his teammates; inspiring others by overcoming obstacles through hard work and a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude,” said Jeff Koksal, LHS track team.

“Jaysen never lets his physical limitations define him.  If someone tells him he can’t – he’ll work to prove he can,” said high jump coach, John Porter.