More Than a Game: Honoring Parker’s Resilience

Contributed by Krystle Hadd

Some experiences change you in ways you never expect. For our family, the opportunity to attend Super Bowl LX together was one of those moments.  One we will hold close for the rest of our lives.

Last week, my family experienced something truly unforgettable. We were gifted Super Bowl tickets for all four of us — my husband, Nate, our sons, Parker (18) and Kellen (14), and myself. We received a call from Boston Children’s Hospital letting us know they had nominated several patients and that Parker had been selected by the Kraft family as the recipient. It was a moment we will never forget.

Parker was chosen because of the extraordinary journey he has lived, and the way he has turned that journey into something bigger than himself. At nine years old, he was diagnosed with epilepsy, beginning years marked by daily seizures, hospitalizations, medication challenges, and constant uncertainty.

In fifth grade, Parker underwent two invasive brain surgeries at Boston Children’s Hospital. The first was an SEEG procedure, during which surgeons implanted 17 electrodes deep into his brain to pinpoint the exact origin of his seizures. He spent a week in the hospital, monitored around the clock. At the end of that week, surgeons performed a craniotomy to remove portions of his parietal lobe and insula where the seizures were originating. The physical pain, emotional toll, and long recovery were more than any child should have to endure.

Despite those efforts, the seizures continued. At fourteen, Parker returned to Boston Children’s for a third brain surgery — a laser ablation procedure (LITT) designed to reach areas that could not previously be accessed safely. Once again, he faced fear, uncertainty, and recovery with courage far beyond his years. Those years demanded remarkable strength and perseverance. Through it all, Parker never gave up. Today, he remains on three daily medications, but he is seizure free, something that once felt impossible.

Now a high school senior, Parker is a varsity soccer player, a member of the National Honor Society, and was recently accepted into the Bioengineering Program at the University of New Hampshire. While these accomplishments are meaningful, what has moved us most is his commitment to advocacy.

In 2025, Parker applied and was selected as a Teen Speak Up! advocate with the Epilepsy Foundation. Through this program, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to share his story with state and federal lawmakers and advocate for policies supporting individuals living with epilepsy. He helped secure Senator Shaheen as a cosponsor of the National Plan for Epilepsy Act and the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act, worked to increase seizure safety awareness within his school and community, and recently testified before the New Hampshire Senate Education Committee in support of Seizure Safe Schools Legislation.

Being chosen to attend the Super Bowl was about much more than the game itself. It felt like a celebration of how far Parker has come, and an extraordinary moment of togetherness after years filled with struggle and perseverance. We laughed. We cheered. We felt a depth of gratitude that’s difficult to put into words — the simple joy of being together in a moment that felt bright, overwhelming, and full of love.

Before his diagnosis, Parker played football and it was a huge part of his life. While he had to step away from playing, football has always remained an escape and a source of joy for him. This weekend brought that love full circle in a way that was incredibly uplifting.

In our work with Entrepreneur Owner-Managers, we frequently talk about grit, character, resilience, and the positive energy required to navigate long seasons of challenge. Watching Parker’s journey, we have seen those very qualities lived out in real time. He has faced adversity with courage, persevered through uncertainty with determination, and continues to approach life with a zest and optimism that inspires us daily.

We are incredibly excited for all that lies ahead for him.

Having the opportunity to share this Super Bowl experience together as a family felt like a celebration of every obstacle he has overcome and a reminder of the strength it took to get here.  Even more importantly, it highlighted the bright future in front of him. We are deeply grateful for everyone who made this experience possible; it is a memory we will cherish for the rest of our lives.