Age: 14
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Diagnosis: Low-grade glioma
Shoe: Nike Air Max DN
Paso a paso, step by step. That’s how Connor tackles life’s biggest challenges —
and he’s experienced quite a few for a 14-year-old.
In 2019, Connor had an unexpected and unexplained brain bleed. Then in 2022, it happened again and this time, doctors discovered a large brain tumor. A shunt was placed to relieve the pressure and Connor began chemotherapy to treat the tumor, but in 2023 he experienced yet another brain bleed. At this point, OHSU neurosurgeons decided to resect a large portion of the tumor in a complex operation that lasted over 14 hours. Months of recovery followed, including intensive rehabilitation to help with Connor’s memory and coordination impairments.
Throughout it all, Connor’s motto has served as a driving force for him and his family. “There’s a lot of uncertainty with my condition, and sometimes it feels overwhelming,” he admitted. “Rather
than worry about the what-ifs, we decided to take things one step at a time. You need me to get up and walk today? Okay, that’s my goal. Step by step.”
You’ll find these encouraging words on the outsole and the Air bubble of Connor’s Air Max DN (one side in English, the other in Spanish). On the upper, he added words that describe his experience and the things he loves best: wonder, healing, caregivers, family, sunrises, butterflies and quesadillas. As for the metallic gold pattern, Connor says he took his inspiration from Zentangle, an abstract
art form that turns repetitive patterns into beautiful mosaics.
For those with musical aptitude, take a closer look at the music notes that circle the upper. That’s a piano duet that Connor wrote with his big sister, Tess. “It doesn’t really have a name — we just call it ‘Our Song,’” he smiled. “The left shoe is what you play on the left hand, and the right shoe is the right-hand part.”
A gifted musician, Connor makes a beeline for the historic grand piano in Doernbecher’s lobby during every visit to perform a mini concert for anyone who happens to be nearby. “I know how anxious you can feel going to the hospital, and I also know how healing music can be,” he said.
He also hopes his shoe will raise a lot of money to support his medical team’s work. “They’re the reason I’m here and able to share my story,” Connor reflected. “If I can help my caregivers help other kids, well, that would be pretty amazing.”
“I hope my piano playing lifts someone’s spirits, even if it’s just for a short time.”
Connor
