Renal hypoplasia, or dysplasia, is a condition in which when a person is in the womb, one or both of their kidneys did not fully develop, which causes the kidneys to either be smaller in size or to not function properly. This condition has been said to happen to 1 out of 400 births. Kaiden Bax (11) was one of those births and was born with one of his kidneys at 25-50% lower functioning than the average person.
Bax almost died at birth due to his kidney failing. Due to this condition, Bax can never donate a kidney or play contact sports in the risk of something happening.
“If I get hit too hard where my kidney is, they will just fail,” Bax said.
His father was a D1 lacrosse player at Mizzou and Bax has always been disappointed that he couldn’t live up to his father and play as well. Bax still wants to live up to his parents’ legacy though, but as much as his body will let him. He wants to go to Mizzou just like his father and get some sort of degree there.
Bax fortunately has found something active that he can do with his condition, which is marching band. He started getting into band when he was in sixth grade and has stuck with it ever since. He plays the french horn, the trumpet, and the mellophone.
Participating in marching band has also given Bax problems. While at band camp, Bax tore his MPFL doing a squat. This happened because Bax also has a condition called hyperextended muscles, which causes his muscles to be weaker than the average person.
“My greatest accomplishment was recovering from my knee injury,” Bax said.
This happened around the first of August and he had to be bedridden for a few weeks. Bax could not march this football season but he was still able to play his instrument from the back field. He now has to wear a brace on his knee for nearly a year so it doesn’t get reinjured, but he will be able to march next season.
Everyone around Bax was supportive throughout his recovery and has helped him throughout the way. Especially his parents and his girlfriend.
“I helped take care of him for a week or two while his knee was injured,” Sophie Pena (11) said.
Bax has overcome many challenges that he has had and will continue to work hard in everything he does.
