Zion Clark Talks Anatomy and Walking With His Hands, This Is How Caudal Regression Syndrome Works
Zion Clark was born sans legs due to a rare illness known as caudal regression syndrome.
However, if a man’s stature can be determined by the size of his heart, this athlete from Columbus, Ohio, is a giant among men. Caudal Regression Syndrome was present at the time of Clark’s birth. His birth name was Zion Zachariah Daniels. Clark was born without legs due to the disorder, which prevents or slows the development of the individual’s lower half of the body.
According to Clark, his biological mother could not provide for him, so he was placed in the Ohio foster care system. He was moved between seven or eight different foster homes during his upbringing. He has alleged that he was subjected to mental, emotional, and physical torture, including malnutrition, throughout that period.
Clark had his first experience with wrestling when he was in the second grade, but he only got serious about sports in high school. His coach, Gil Donahue, saw Clark’s talent and encouraged him to continue competing despite the difficulties inherent in the sport.
Who is Zion Clark, And How Does Caudal Regression Syndrome Work?
Born with Caudal regression Syndrome, Zion, who was 16 years old at the time of his adoption by Kimberly Clark Hawkins, was ready to turn 17 and graduate from the foster care system.
Caudal regression syndrome, sometimes sacral agenesis (or hypoplasia of the sacrum), is a highly uncommon birth abnormality. It is a congenital condition in which there is an abnormality in the formation of the caudal partition of the spine during fetal development of the lower spine. One instance of this condition is estimated for every 60,000 live births.
Clark had a great wrestling career at Massillon High School, finishing his last season with a 33-15 record. Hawkins and Donahue were both instrumental in helping Clark achieve this success. Zion then attended Kent State University at Tuscarawas for two years, continuing his education and wrestling career.
In 2018, Clark was approached about being the subject of a documentary, which led to the creation of the “Zion” short film, which is 12 minutes long. The Sundance Film Festival chose the award-winning documentary short as an official selection, and it won several accolades at other film festivals around the world. The film is now available to view on Netflix.
Zion Clark’s Wrestling Career
Clark, who is currently 23 years old, is set on making history by being the first American athlete to participate in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Due to a shoulder injury, Clark could not continue competing in wrestling and was forced to take a sabbatical from the sport. Clark had initially intended to compete in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for wrestling. Instead, he decided to concentrate on wheelchair racing and spent the pandemic period preparing for the United States Paralympic Team Trials in Track and Field.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Games that were set to take place in Tokyo, Japan, in 2020 have been put off until 2021 due to the Covid outbreak. Clark participated in the United States Paralympic Team Trials for Track and Field held in Minneapolis one month ago. Even though Clark did not make the squad for this year’s competition, he finished fourth overall in the nation.
Clark has been doing it for only five years, but he acknowledges that it is “still a learning process,” and he is pleased with his development up to this point. In the intense competition, Clark clocked in one of the most promising times of his career during the trials. He was only 0.5 to 0.7 seconds away from the time he needed to qualify.
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In addition to maintaining his job as a content producer and motivational speaker, Clark intends to keep his training. He desires to compete for the United States in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.
Weight lifting is Clark’s first activity on the schedule throughout the morning of a regular training day. After a little pause during which he ate and slept, he returned to the track to practice his wheelchair sprint races for a few hours until he had completely exhausted himself.
Zion Clark Talks Anatomy and Walking With His Hands – Still Lives Life To The Fullest
Zion Clark has recently secured a contract with Candlewick Press to publish three books, so he is well on his way to being published.
In August, Clark will publish his debut book, “Unmatched,” a photo essay geared toward younger readers. Clark has stated that he intends to write about specifics of the challenges he has faced in his life in later volumes. Still, Clark avoids addressing these issues in his first book on purpose. Zion claims that people of all ages may appreciate “Unmatched.”
However, the book that he calls a “picture book” was written with children in mind when it was written. Because of the motivational nature of Clark’s tale, he has received publicity in national media outlets. Zion also has a feature on The Ellen Show, which ultimately led to his launch of a new professional endeavor.
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Following his participation in the talk program, a new health supplement company called Real Deal approached him about becoming a partner in the company. Since that time, Clark has been contributing to the firm’s growth based in San Diego; you will soon be able to purchase the product in the local retailers.
Over the last two years, Clark has spent varying amounts of time working in San Diego. He had been living in Pacific Beach with his girlfriend for four months. Still, the couple recently moved into a new apartment in Little Italy. Clark observes that he has always had a peaceful attitude to life, which helps him manage his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It also aids in preventing overstimulation. Although many people come to San Diego for a casual lifestyle, he notes that he has always had a tranquil approach to life.
Does Zion Clark Go To The Bathroom?
Zion Clark has bathroom needs, just like any of us.
Zion, however, makes use of a tube for urination. The tube goes inside through the lower body and into the bladder. The urine then goes through this tube, and he can extricate it into the collection bag.
Although Zion Clark does not have legs, he can go to the bathroom. The only difference is that he needs to use tubes and collection pipes.
