Braxton’s Story: From Injury to Hope
For Braxton, sports have always been more than a pastime—they’ve been his passion. Growing up in a small town, he played football, basketball, and track, often excelling in all three. But in eighth grade, a routine football play changed everything. “I just held the ball out funny, got tackled, and landed on my arm,” Braxton recalls. At first, it seemed minor. He shook it off and kept playing. What no one realized at the moment was that this was the start of a long and painful journey.
Through freshman year, Braxton’s shoulder dislocated repeatedly—sometimes four or five times a week during football season. Even then, he pushed through football, then competing at a high level in basketball and track. His resilience masked the severity of the injury, and it wasn’t until later that the truth came out: his shoulder had extensive damage.
In April 2024, Braxton underwent his first surgery—a Latarjet procedure with labrum repair. His surgeon did everything possible, but the bone loss was significant. A year later, after another painful basketball season, Braxton faced a second surgery in March 2025. This time, it was far more complex: bone grafts to both the glenoid and humeral head. “This surgery was ten times more painful than the first,” Braxton says. “The first two weeks were the worst—I couldn’t sleep, I wasn’t eating, and nothing helped with the pain.”
Recovery was grueling. Physical therapy didn’t begin until six weeks post-op, and progress is slow. Today, Braxton has regained about 75% of his range of motion. He attends therapy twice a week and was released to play. “I can shoot now and am gaining strength. Recovery is slow but that is to be expected.”
But the physical battle is only part of the story. Emotionally, this journey has tested Braxton and his family in ways they never imagined. Pain is still a daily reality, and fear of re-injury lingers. Simple movements—like reaching for a rebound—bring hesitation. “I feel like I’m a ways away from 100%,” Braxton says. “I don’t want to do anything that risks it.”
Allison, his mom, shares that anxiety: “As a parent and a nurse, I live that fear every day. It’s hard. It’s exhausting. But we’re hopeful.” She describes the emotional toll of watching her son endure two major surgeries and months of recovery: “It’s retraining his brain after so many dislocations. There’s stress, there’s pain, but there’s also progress.”
Despite the challenges, there’s hope. Recent scans show his bone grafts have healed beautifully. His surgeon reassured him that his shoulder is strong and stable. Braxton knows the road ahead is long, but he’s determined. “I just want to get back at it,” he says. “Not just to be able to play a game, but to prove to myself that I can overcome this.”
Looking Ahead: Gratitude and New Beginnings
Braxton’s journey is about more than sports—it’s about resilience, faith, and gratitude. The donor tissue that made his recovery possible is a gift he doesn’t take lightly. “I feel like it’s something I need to do,” Braxton says about writing a thank-you letter to his donor family through the Thank You Pathways program. “I want them to know what their gift means to me.”
In late fall of 2025, his physical progress was incredible. In December 2025, Braxton started his junior year of basketball, and with each shot, rebound or team huddle, it fulfilled his passion to be back on the court and to play basketball. He moved with determination and physicality, proving his recovery is progressing. Preparing to step into the Rose Parade spotlight, he carries with him the strength of his community, the love of his family, and the legacy of those who gave him this second chance. His story is a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, hope blooms—and sometimes, it blooms in the form of a gift from someone you’ll never meet.
In January 2026, Braxton did share his story on a national stage as part of the Rose Parade, walking alongside other honorees and donor families. It was an opportunity to celebrate life, healing, and the incredible impact of organ and tissue donation. “I didn’t know what to expect,” Allison admits, “but now I see how powerful this experience will be—not just for Braxton, but for everyone who hears his story.”