MOUNT VERNON – To watch him run around the basketball court is to witness a miracle.
Fredericktown’s Xander Frazier was born nearly 10 years ago with a very rare congenital heart complication, Shone’s anomaly, for which few children survive past birth.
The fourth grader has 14 different abnormalities of his heart. He has already undergone several heart surgeries and catheterizations, is completely missing a pulmonary valve and is currently on the list for a heart transplant.
In the meantime, Xander continues to get the care he needs at Nationwide Children's Hospital In Columbus.
In a world of doctors, hospital visits and restrictions, Xander has managed to play basketball for two years. The Junior Cavaliers program at the YMCA of Mount Vernon has allowed kids in different age groups to play and learn the game while having fun. Junior Cavs has been a godsend for Xander and his family.
“This program has been phenomenal,” Xander’s mother, Amanda Frazier, said. “Xander needs interaction with kids. He is missing being a child. He is stuck home In isolation. Even with his heart issues he has a lot of energy, so this is good for him. He can feel like a normal kid.”
Last season, playing was enough. This season, he had another goal.
“I just wanted to make one shot this year,” Xander said. “Even if it was just one.”
When he made that basket a few weeks ago, it was the highlight of the season.
“He lit up the whole, entire room,” his mother said. “He had to lock eyes with me, to find me and to make sure that I saw it.”
For Emily Vonck, who directs the Mount Vernon Junior Cavs, moments like that are the most rewarding.
“It was awesome,” Vonck said. “We got to give him some Cavs giveaways and he was so excited. It gave me chills and made me cry. It reminds me why we’re doing sports in the community.”
After years of watching his older brother Coen play sports and wishing he could do the same, Xander finally had his moment.
“The first thing he said to me was, ‘Mom, now I get to brag to Coen that I made a basket,’” Amanda Frazier said.
Senior managers Bryson Haynes (Cavs Youth Academy) and Luke Toth (Cavs Youth Sports) visited Mount Vernon last Saturday (Jan. 30). They brought encouragement and Cavs goodies for the players. Then they spent some time with Xander.
“I got a bag with a T-shirt and other stuff,” Xander said. “I’m hoping to play next year. My (cardiologist) has to decide.”
Xander also likes trampolines and climbing trees but would like to try another team sport.
“I want to play soccer this spring,” he said.
