Pasco teen proves doctors wrong, fighting from his first breath to his first win
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Hunter Aagaard overcame a traumatic birth and years of therapy to gain mobility.
- Wrestling helped Hunter build confidence and self-worth despite physical limits.
- Support from family and youth programs shaped Hunter’s journey toward independence.
When doctors delivered Hunter Aagaard 14 years ago, they told his parents not to expect much.
After being trapped in the birth canal and going without oxygen for more than six minutes, Hunter was given a slim chance of surviving. At best, doctors said, he might never recognize his parents.
Today, Hunter is proving everyone wrong.
In 2016, when Hunter was 4, the Tri-City Herald first shared his story. At the time, his parents were still navigating therapies, surgeries and the uncertainty of his future. His mother, Kristen Akula, told the Herald then that Hunter was “totally fearless.”
Nearly a decade later, that same fearless boy has grown into a teenager, proving just how right she was.
Earlier this year, the Kennewick teen won his first wrestling match, a milestone his mother, never thought she’d see.
“He would lose every single one because his opponents knew they had an advantage, he only had the one arm,” Akula said. “But he just kept going and going, all season long. And in the end, he persevered.
That determination has become the heart of Hunter’s story.
Growing up strong
Hunter’s early years were filled with uncertainty. He spent 10 years in occupational therapy and has faced challenges with mobility, learning and social skills. But Akula says her son’s resilience has helped him not only adapt but thrive.
“Doctors don’t know everything, Hunter is living proof of that,” she said. “We thought he’d never walk, talk, or be independent. Now he’s playing sports, making friends, and talking about being an engineer one day. He’s shown us every day that miracles do happen.”
Hunter has tried soccer, basketball and tennis, but wrestling has pushed him the most, and given him the greatest sense of accomplishment.
“My favorite sports are soccer, tennis, basketball and wrestling,” he said. “They’re just fun.”
Finding confidence through sports
Akula said Hunter struggled with confidence and bullying in elementary school. Sports changed that.
“Since he started wrestling and other sports, his self-esteem has improved so much,” she said. “He’s learned to prove to himself that he can do hard things and that he’s capable, just like any other kid.”
Hunter plans to keep at it. “I’ll probably do it again in eighth grade,” he said.
Hunter is also involved in the Columbia River Young Marines program, which emphasizes discipline, teamwork and community service. He doesn’t always love the rigid structure, him mom admits, but it’s another place where he’s learning responsibility and resilience.
Daily challenges, everyday victories
At home, Hunter still faces challenges. He can’t tie his shoes on his own, and sometimes needs tasks broken down step by step. But his mom says they avoid enabling him, instead pushing him to find independence in daily life.
Just recently, he surprised her by cleaning and organizing his bedroom “better than ever before,” something she said showed how far he has come.
“He catches a baseball with one hand, plays sports, keeps up with his brother, all things we never thought would be possible,” Akula said. “He shocks me every day.”
When he’s not on the mat or out playing, Hunter spends time on video games.
“I usually play Fortnite, baseball or soccer games. My team is always the Mariners,” he said. He also roots for the Seahawks.
Earlier this year, Hunter won his first wrestling match after a season of tough losses. Competing with limited mobility in his right arm, he kept pushing forward until he finally claimed a victory, a moment his mother said captured his perseverance better than words ever could.
Family and perspective
Akula, now remarried, describes the family as a “typical military family.” Her husband Hassan Akula is in Texas at tech school, while she runs a local business, attends college, and raises her two boys.
The journey, she said, has shaped her into a different kind of parent.
“Hunter has taught me patience. He’s taught me that my own struggles aren’t so bad when I look at what he’s been through,” she said. “He was given to me for a reason.”
Hunter’s bond with his younger brother is like any sibling relationship, she added, full of rivalry, bickering and laughter.
Looking ahead
Now a teenager, Hunter dreams of college and a future in engineering. His mom said she hopes people see his story as more than a medical miracle.
“I would want people to know to never give up on your child,” Tisdale said. “Hunter is proof that miracles happen. He’s kind, loving, and determined. Yes, he’ll continue to face struggles for the rest of his life, but he’s shown that no matter what challenges you face, you can overcome them.”
Sometimes, overcoming means stepping onto a wrestling mat, refusing to quit, and finally raising your hand in victory.
This story was originally published September 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Pasco teen proves doctors wrong, fighting from his first breath to his first win."