Protecting his daughter Naieya was #DeontayWilder’s guiding mission even before she was born with a debilitating birth defect. The ability to provide for her properly was the reason Wilder picked up boxing at 19. And she, more than any other motivation, she inspired him to become a World Boxing Council heavyweight champion of the world. When Deontay Wilder learned he was months away from becoming a father he was enrolled at #SheltonState Community College. The onetime #CentralHighSchool football and basketball star decided to pause college and start working immediately. But Wilder took his transition from college student to employee to another level. He worked three jobs at once (#IHOP, #RedLobster and driving a #beer truck). He was never afraid of hard work – a work ethic taught by his parents and developed as a boy with three younger siblings. “My upbringing was to work, work, work,” he said. “Cutting grass, washing cars, fixing cars are things I saw my father do. We didn’t call anyone to fix something, we knew daddy would do it himself. He influenced us to do things on our own and not to depend on people.” But Wilder’s preparation for the birth of his child in 2005 proved not to be enough when he and his girlfriend at the time were told by doctors that Naieya would most likely be born with #spinabifida, a condition where a fetus’ developing backbone does not close all way, leaving the spinal cord exposed. Though it cannot be cured, a child can be treated to prevent infections and help save the spinal cord from further damage. Multiple unskilled jobs were not going to be enough for the medical coverage necessary to treat her condition. So Wilder developed a plan first brought to his attention before he dropped out of school. Back then, he and a college friend held daily sessions in the cafeteria to discuss life goals. “I told him I should start boxing, and he agreed,” Wilder said. “We had no idea about the process. All I was thinking about was the money. I thought everyone made a lot of money by just stepping into the ring. My focus was to do whatever I could to support my daughter.” Source #undefeated Please FOLLOW our new page @wonderwombman2 ✨✨ https://www.instagram.com/p/CU_WocFoSc0/?utm_medium=tumblr
