High school student raises money for hospital after health journey
By Rachel Whelan
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INDIAN HILL, Ohio (WLWT) — An Indian Hill High School senior is turning a delayed medical diagnosis into a mission to help others.
Aiden Kincaid blends right in at baseball practice, working drills alongside his teammates. But for years, he says he felt like an outsider. In fifth grade, Kincaid went from being one of the tallest kids in his class to watching others pass him by.
“I remember it went from, like, I was looking down on people, to people were looking down on me,” he said.
His mom, Amber Kincaid, said concerns became clearer during annual physicals as Aiden’s growth percentile steadily dropped.
“It was like 80%, then 75%, then 60%, then 50% — it got down to 30%,” she said.
Despite visiting multiple doctors, the explanation was often the same: Aiden was just a late bloomer. Amber didn’t accept that.
“I’m a scientist, and I needed real data,” she said.
After years of searching for answers, the family was referred to Dayton Children’s Hospital, where a four-hour diagnostic test confirmed Aiden had growth hormone deficiency.
“It was just relieving. Finally, I had an answer and an explanation for why things were happening to me,” Aiden said.
Once treatment began, the changes came quickly. Amber said her son grew about six inches within the first six to nine months.
“I’m now 5-8, and three-fourths. I could round up, but I like staying true to who I am,” Aiden said.
Now, Aiden is using that experience to help others. He started a nonprofit called “Teens Together,” focused on raising awareness for growth hormone deficiency and other conditions that can be overlooked or take years to diagnose.
“It’s just been a dream of mine to give back,” Aiden said. “Internally, I feel like this is something I need to do, especially with how much they’ve done for me.”
On Friday, Aiden will present a $10,000 check to Dayton Children’s Hospital — the same hospital that helped diagnose and treat him.
For Amber, watching her son turn uncertainty into purpose carries an important message for other families.
“Listen to your gut. Listen to your kid,” she said. “And if you think something’s off, keep looking.”
To learn more about Teens Together, click here:
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