Iola High’s Damian Wacker has more challenges than most athletes his age.
Since his sophomore year, Wacker has battled the fact that his lungs periodically collapse. Wacker suffers from spontaneous pneumothorax, a genetic condition where the lungs partially or completely collapse without warning.
Wacker looks at his condition philosophically, maintaining it makes him a stronger person and athlete.
A junior, Wacker said he won’t let his condition keep him from participating in football and wrestling.
“In wrestling, you learn from your losses more than your wins,” said Wacker. “I always want to strive to get better.”
He is getting set to take the football field when practices begin next month.
The first time Wacker experienced his lungs collapsing was during a wrestling practice his sophomore year. He described it as a sharp pain emitting from his shoulder. Breathing was difficult.
“I just thought my shoulder was out so I continued to go through wrestling practice like it was nothing,” said Wacker. “It was a little hard to breathe but that was about it so I just kept wrestling. I was in pain and holding back tears but I had worked so hard so I just wanted to push through and worry about it later.”
Wacker received the diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax his sophomore year.
Wacker experienced similar episodes across the next two years. He went through four surgeries.
The nature of the condition is puzzling because everyday activities like opening a car door or walking his dog — even sitting on the couch — can trigger episodes.
“It was definitely a curveball when it first happened. It was hard to get used to because sports has always been my outlet,” said Wacker. “It got taken away in a heartbeat so I’m happy I can still play even after all of it. The pain is pretty bad but other than that it’s not terrible,” he said of the episodes.
Wacker has been wrestling and playing football since seventh grade. Of the two, he says he prefers wrestling.
HIS LOVE of sports but also his little sister is why Wacker continues to push through.
“I want to show her that no matter how big of a curveball is thrown at you, you can always swing for the fences,” Wacker said.
Wacker plays wide receiver and cornerback for the Iola Mustangs. The positions require lots of zig-zagging across the field — a challenge for even the healthiest.
