A Fighter with a Coach’s Heart: Chandler’s Journey

By Mark White | The Mark White Show

Killen, Alabama - On today's edition of The Mark White Show, I'm honored to share a story about strength, determination, and the power of community support. My guest, Hailey Ward of Killen, Alabama, is the proud mom of ten-year-old Chandler, a bright, spirited boy with a love for all things sports. Whether it’s Mississippi State football, the NFL, or Yankees baseball, Chandler lives and breathes the game.

From the start, Chandler’s story has been one of courage. Born at thirty-five weeks, he spent time in the NICU due to low blood sugar and difficulty eating. After months of tests and developmental delays, Hailey and her husband learned that Chandler had Noonan Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects growth and development. Later, doctors discovered an even rarer condition called SETD5 protein insufficiency, with only around 500 known cases worldwide.

Despite his challenges, Chandler’s heart has always been bigger than any obstacle. “He’s the toughest, spiciest little fifty-pound ten-year-old I know,” Hailey said. “When he played rec baseball, I told his coach he might not be one of the best players, but he’d have the biggest heart on the team.” That coach, Greg Newby, quickly saw what Hailey meant. Chandler became known for cheering on teammates, reminding everyone that heart matters more than anything else on the field.

Chandler’s spirit and love for the game have inspired everyone around him. He dreams of becoming a coach one day, he just hasn’t decided whether it will be baseball or football. “He’s constantly critiquing plays and coaching from the couch,” Hailey laughed. “He knows every stat, even for teams we don’t watch.”

In the coming weeks, Chandler will undergo major surgery on both his hamstrings and Achilles tendons to improve his mobility. He’ll be in leg casts for about six weeks and then wear a back brace for at least a year. The recovery won’t be easy, but Hailey has no doubt he’ll face it with courage. “If anybody can do it, it’s Chandler,” she said.

Doctors are optimistic that the surgery will improve his range of motion and help him walk with greater ease. Chandler, as always, wants to know every detail about what’s coming. “He’s probably the best patient,” Hailey said. “If you tell him what’s about to happen, he’ll lie there calmly and let them do it. He’s so used to it all.”

What helps most is the incredible support system surrounding Chandler. “The Brooks community has been amazing,” Hailey shared. “His friends are already talking about who gets to push his wheelchair and carry his backpack. That kind of support will lift him up through the hard days.”

Hailey is also reaching out for encouragement from the sports world. “Every word will remind him that he’s not just a fan, he’s part of the sports family he loves so much,” she said. She hopes coaches and players, especially from Mississippi State or the New York Yankees, will send messages or stickers to decorate his back brace. “He’ll wear it with pride.”

Faith has played a central role in their journey. “When there are hard days, I have to look to God for strength and for the answers to Chandler’s hard questions,” Hailey said. “When he looks at me and says, ‘Why me?’ I remind him that God gave him this story and gave me the honor of being his mother so that together we can make a difference.”

The community has already stepped up in a big way. Hailey’s lifelong friend, Carrie Henderson, organized a fundraiser titled “Big Surgery for a Bigger Dream: Chandler’s Journey” on GoFundMe to help with expenses while Hailey takes time off work to care for her son. “The financial part helps, but what means the most is the support,” Hailey said. “Just knowing people care makes all the difference.”

As Chandler prepares for surgery, Hailey remains focused on his bright future. “He once said the Nick Saban era wouldn’t have anything on his,” she said with a smile. “That’s Chandler. He’s feisty, and he’s going to change lives. Even if he’s not the head coach in the headlines, he’ll be on the sidelines somewhere, encouraging kids who just need someone to believe in them.”

To send Chandler encouragement or a message of support, you can reach out to Hailey Ward on Facebook or email her at Hailey.Ward8@yahoo.com. They also welcome cards and letters. You can send those to Chandler Schrader c/o Hailey Ward 20 Allison Drive Killen, AL 35645. You can also find his GoFundMe page at Big Surgery for a Bigger Dream: Chandler’s Journey.

Let’s lift this young man up and remind him that he has a whole community cheering him on, not just in Killen, but far beyond. Chandler truly is a fighter with a coach’s heart.