When it comes to Layton Gallagher, can't isn't an option!
Courtesy photo Layton Gallagher shows off a fish that he caught last summer. Layton was born without his left hand, but has overcome his disability to the point that he makes having two hands look like overkill.
Courtesy of Sports Illustrated Gallagher was featured in the December 4, edition of SPort Illustrated in their 'Faces in the Crowd' section.
Photo by Les McPhail Layton Gallagher was a standout runningback and kick returner for the Wallace Miners football team.
It was famed Chinese philosopher Confucius who said, “The man who says he can, and the man who says he can't are both correct.”
These words resonate quite a bit within the mind of Wallace Jr./Sr. High School senior Layton Gallagher.
Layton’s story is one of turning the tables on the odds when they are stacked against you.
On Dec. 20, 1999, Layton came into the world a healthy baby boy, albeit missing his left hand.
The doctors had no real idea as to what caused this, but later on learned that Layton’s mother suffered from an immune deficiency that could have caused birth defects.
Now, for just a second imagine that you were born without one of your hands, think of things that you would struggle with.
Not a single one of those things have ever stopped Layton from excelling.
“Honestly it wasn't too difficult to adapt as I grew up,” Layton said. “I hadn't known anything different and every thing kinda just came naturally growing up.”
And while most people would have buckled under the stress of growing up with a disability of this nature, Layton used his drive and intelligence to overcome every obstacle he arrived at, but when he did get frustrated he would go and take solace in his surroundings.
“I never really needed an outlet because I always had a solution and if I didn't, I figured out a way to achieve my goal,” Layton said. “If I ever did get irritated about anything I'd go hiking, I always found peace in the woods.”
With any disability there will always be detractors who say that they can’t be overcome, you mix those detractors with an extremely competitive nature and motivating support system you end up with a beast.
A beast with the desire to succeed and conquer in everything that he does.
“My motivation to overcome my so-called disability came from people saying I wouldn't be able to do something, that was my main drive,” Layton said. “A lot of it came with my competitive nature and wanting to be the best. And to me, a person is only has a physical disability if they let it be a disability. Sure there are some things that they might not be able to do as well as others but are still possible to do. Another motivating factor in my life was a huge support system ranging from coach's, to friends, and especially family.”
Speaking of doing anything, Layton was recently featured in the national sports magazine Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” section which highlighted his impressive senior football season at WHS.
"He was our only handicapped player that played without a handicap," Wallace assistant football coach Cory Foster said. "His athletic ability made up for any short handedness he may have had. He is just a true competitor."
In his spare time, Layton really enjoys fishing, which really demonstrates how he has been able to adapt and overcome.
“I have not found anything that I couldn't do yet honestly, I'm just like any other person,” Layton said.
Layton’s mother, Diana, is especially thankful for the support that Layton has received from the community, whether it was when he was a little guy growing and adapting, or if it was supporting him in sports
“Thank you to all the people that loved watching and believing in Layton from the time he was little to him competing in baseball, soccer, football, basketball, track, golf, trap shooting and his new love of bass fishing,” Diana said. “We live in a great community of opportunity. Layton is an inspiration for all of us (and anyone with a challenge whether it’s physical or emotional) to do our best and always be humble and kind.”
After high school Layton has several ideas, but plans on working at Quality Canopy Construction for a while and then plans on going to school to become a dam operator for Avista, or go to North Idaho College and get a certificate as a diesel technician or welding, however if football scholarships come his way, then he might consider another career path.
In terms of Confucius, Layton is the definition of a man who says he definitely can.