Tyler Keithley

2010 Comeback Kids^® Award Recipient, Central Region

Born six weeks premature and weighing only three pounds and eight ounces, Tyler Keithley was diagnosed with an anal atresia. Within a few hours of his birth Tyler underwent three tedious surgeries including a colostomy. Months later, he was diagnosed with a neurogenic bladder, which requires disciplined and mandatory daily maintenance in order not to compromise his healthy kidney. Despite his difficult start and the understanding that he will face a lifetime of health challenges, Tyler maintains the attitude that he must “Go” on.

Tyler is a “Go” or Baduk/Weiqi aficionado. “Go” is an ancient board game that provides opportunities for deep thought and meditation as well as exercises in abstract reasoning and strategy. He plays “Go” to have fun, feel good and keep his mind sharp. Tyler, who enjoys sharing this game with others, started the Southwest Missouri Go Club, serves as Vice President of the Baduk/IGo/Weiqi Players Association and even taught a group of friends at Youth Rally how to play. Tyler now makes “Go” boards with his father and hopes one day to create a professional “Go” association in the United States.

In addition to keeping his mind sharp with “Go”, Tyler understands the importance of taking care of his body. He goes the extra mile to have regular check-ins with his doctor and listens to his body when it tells him to slow down.

Tyler, 17, of Buffalo, MO, is currently a home-schooled student with outstanding grades. His favorite saying is that “the purpose of life is to discover your gift; the meaning of life is to give your gift away.” Tyler hopes that by sharing his gift of “Go” with others, he can serve as a reminder that even though we all face challenges in life, it is important to move ahead and not let them distract us from the things we love or from living a full life.