Brady Mumm has had a lifetime of medical challenges that began even before he was born. But he hasn’t let that stop him from achieving his goals. Today, he was recently made valedictorian at his high school, loves to be active in sports, plans to attend college and one day, he might even take over his family’s business.
Brady’s diagnosis and treatment
At 21 weeks gestation, Rebecca and Mike, Brady’s parents, were told that their baby had VACTERL association, a rare condition that involves multiple birth defects that often occur together. These birth defects can range from spinal to anorectal to the heart and the kidneys.
“The most challenging thing was first accepting their new normal and, second, giving Brady the best care ever,” Rebecca remembered. That commitment is what led them to Children’s Minnesota in St. Paul to get care for Brady from the kid experts.
Brady’s unique circumstances required care from numerous teams and specialists. However, Rebecca named four providers at Children’s Minnesota who have cared for Brady since day one: Dr. David Wahoff, pediatric surgeon, Dr. Joel Hutcheson, pediatric urologist, Dr. Michael Shreve, pediatric pulmonologist, and Dr. Paul Kubic, a now retired pediatric pulmonologist.
The first three years of Brady’s life were spent in and out of Children’s Minesota. His medical team performed multiple surgeries to correct the defects he was born with. Brady’s mom recalled those first few years, explaining “We were trying to survive and put everything together.”
Transitioning to adult care
Recently, Brady has been transitioning to adult care. “When his new provider read Brady’s history, he expected to see a young adult weighing just 70 pounds, using a wheelchair and barely functioning,” Rebecca described. “When that provider finally met Brady for the first time, he remarked, ‘This is not the patient I was expecting to see.’”
Brady’s family is grateful for the expert care he received at Children’s Minnesota to help him to where he is today. “Children’s Minesota was a huge part of our success,” Rebecca asserted.
Brady added, “I feel pretty grateful for all the help I got at Children’s Minnesota.”
Determination to succeed
“Brady was determined to be the best student,” Rebecca beamed. “And it shows with him getting the valedictorian award.” Brady received the valedictorian award at his high school graduation in Clayton, Wisconsin, in May 2024.
“I was honored when I found out,” Brady said. “Through all my medical issues, I want to prove to people that I can still be the best.”
Due to his condition, Brady missed a lot of school. Still, he made sure all his work was done and strived to be an active classmate, even when he couldn’t be there in person.
“Whatever he puts his mind to, he’s going to do it,” Rebecca asserted. “He never complained, he never gave up. He just kept doing the hard work.”
It all paid off at graduation. “I probably gave the longest speech in Clayton history [at 13 minutes] but everybody loved it,” Brady guessed, “except my classmates.”
In addition to his academic excellence, Brady was incredibly active in his high school’s sports program. Although his condition limits his ability to do certain contact sports, Brady was cleared to play on his school’s baseball team. For the last three years, Brady also served as his school’s football announcer. He even found time to be the basketball team’s statistician. “I’m just so invested in our sports.”
Brady’s future goals
In the fall, Brady plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and study sports management and business. After college, Brady intends to return to Clayton so he can give back to the town that has supported him since before he was born.
“I want to help out after college, come back and keep helping out our community,” Brady said. His dream is to be the athletic director at his alma mater, or perhaps a coach. “If not, then I’ll join the school board and help out in that way.”
Whether he pursues one of those paths or runs his family’s wedding venue, Brady is excited to stay in Clayton for as long as he can. “I feel I should give my time to people [and] it’s nice to come back to your community and help them out,” he said.
Rebecca, meanwhile, beamed as his proud mother. “I’m super proud of this young man and what he’s battled through. He always looks for the positive in things and provides confidence in people. Just to see him embrace himself has been incredible to watch as a mom.”
