WR High School Senior Overcomes Odds

Warner Robins High School senior Hayden Martin has never let muscular dystrophy get in his way. In fact, it’s only made him more determined to accomplish his goals.

“If I’m given a challenge, I will take the challenge.”

After being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at age 6, Martin has taught himself how to drive using two feet, has a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo, and plays in his school’s marching band.

“Out there on the field we have to march in time with the drum major’s hands, we have to remember what notes to play, when to play them, how to play them…”

Martin is a typical 17-year-old and says coming up on graduation is a bittersweet feeling.

“I’m really going to miss that when I graduate.”

However, he’s excited to see what the future holds.

“I plan on going to Middle Georgia College in Cochran for two years and then transfer to Georgia Tech or another good college with a good architecture program.”

Martin is on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. He says he never wants the disorder to cause people to treat him differently.

“Don’t treat them any differently than a regular person, unless they want that. They’re just as human as you are.”