Campbell County High’s Elijah Wells swims forward despite medical diagnosis
ALEXANDRIA, Ky. — Kind. Ambitious. A good sport. Generous.
These are all ways people describe Campbell County High School athlete Elijah Wells, but they don’t tell the whole story.
As the third of five boys, Elijah has always had a competitive spirit. Growing up, he played everything from soccer to basketball and cross country. His mom describes him as an “all-season athlete.”
That is until the family got a serious medical diagnosis about Elijah: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Instead of shutting down, his mother Mandee Wells says that Elijah did what he always does, pivots and moves forward.
“At first he was relieved to find out what was going on with his body. After that he just switched gears to see how he can make the best of the situation,” Mandee said. “I think I took the news harder than him … He takes it in stride and turns it into a positive”
Elijah switched to swimming, a sport that is much kinder on the joints. He mainly competes in breaststroke and loves the relays. As a senior at Campbell County High School, the sports award he’s most proud of is when he earned Most Improved Swimmer.
“It meant the world to him,” Mandee said. “It reinforced his work ethic.”
Elijah is also a stellar student in addition to being an outstanding athlete. His mom said he plans to attend University of Cincinnati to become a pilot and to get his Bachelor’s degree in business.
Through all of these accomplishments, Elijah’s mom said it best: “He’s just an overall good kid.”
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