A senior at Foundation Academy, Justin Williams is being nominated for the Naismith Courage Award. Williams is also a basketball player for the Christian private school. 

Great Show of Courage

In a report with Orange Observer, the said award is given to basketball players around the country who demonstrated courage. 

This show of courage must be present in their approach to their team, school, and community. 

Living with Apert Syndrome

The teen was born with Apert Syndrome. According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the disease fuses one's skull bones. The condition also causes distortions in the head and face. 

The bones on Justin's fingers and toes are fused, giving him mitten-like hands and webbed toes. 

There is no known cure for Apert Syndrome. Williams has undergone 12 surgeries to keep his bones from fusing during his lifetime. 

Challenges Should Not Deter One's Dreams

The basketball player does not let these challenges deter him from living his life. He said that his condition had become an asset to him standing out in the crowd. 

Justin called Foundation Academy a "great school." He said that he found a support group in his coaches and teachers. They all knew his story and the challenges that made him the person he was today. 

According to the report, Williams is the team member who provides a morale boost. His teammates considered him to be the official "team-spirit guy." 

Head coach Nate Hughes said Justin's attitude and demeanor left a lasting impact on him. 

He told the news outlet that he wished more players behaved as Justin did. Hughes said that Justin was not one to complain about the way God made him. 

Supportive Parents

Justin's parents, Stacy and John, have supported him since the day he was born. They did what they could to ensure that he got a good education. 

Stacy admitted that seeing her son play could get overwhelming for a mother's heart. She said that Justin was the kind of person to get everyone hyped into the game. 

John said that they were excited when they received news that Justin was nominated for the award. It was no surprise to him that his son was one of the nominees. 

He added that his son deserved the award because Justin was a sort-of celebrity at the school. 

The couple admitted that they did not know how to raise Justin. They had no resources on how to bring up a child with Apert Syndrome. 

They decided to raise him in a normal household. Stacy pointed out that when one had kids, one could not help but set certain expectations for them. 

Love of Sports

Justin grew to love sports because of the influence of his cousins. Stacy said that her son had a never say die attitude when going about things. 

She added that he was one to offer moral support to those who needed it the most. This fact made him an invaluable member of the team. 

Justin said that he would love to be remembered as someone who did everything he could for the team. 

The Atlanta Tip-Off will name the winners on Tuesday, April 12. 

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