Reid wrote and submitted this as one of his essays on his Columbia application, as a senior in early 2003.

At age four I was diagnosed with Legg-Perthes disease.  This disease has undoubtedly changed the course of my life.  It has, however, had positive impacts on me and helped shape who I am.  Dealing with the implications of disease and its treatments has strengthened my resolve and optimism in confronting challenges and disappointments.  From the start, it has demanded of me a stronger work ethic, a higher tolerance to pain, a tougher skin, a more courageous approach to anything I encounter, and a positive outlook on life and the future.  It also forced me to more fully apply my intellectual assets, whether in class work, music, teaching, or leading.

Legg-Perthes is responsible for abnormal development of the femoral heads.  My case is bilateral, which is rare, and unusually severe.  As a kid, I wore a Scottish-Rite brace day and night (except for bathing and swimming) for two years in the hope of avoiding surgery.  Despite the awkward, uncomfortable, and odd-looking brace, I continued normal social and physical activity at school and at play.

By the fifth grade, walking with and without the brace had become difficult and painful.  I underwent a 14-hour surgery for pelvic and femoral osteotomies to partially repair damage caused by the disease.  It took four months in a bodycast, six more months in a wheelchair and crutches, and several more months in physical rehabilitation to walk "normally" again.  Two years after the first surgery, I underwent a second surgery to remove the implanted pins and screws.  I returned to crutches and rehabilitation to strengthen weakened bone and muscle.  Despite the time lost at school, I maintained an all-A record throughout.

Running and contact sports are off-limits, but I returned to swimming after each surgery, shortly after moving from wheelchair to crutches.  Swimming helped relieve the persistent back and leg pain.  Eventually I returned to competitive swimming each time.  I joined varsity-level crew and sailing teams to strengthen my back, legs, and arms.  Now, ironically, I receive compliments on my physique!  In addition to belonging to a YMCA swim team, I started a high school swim team.

Throughout this ordeal, my doctor warned me that I would unlikely be able to return to competitive swimming, particularly the breaststroke with its unusual leg movement.  Among many other achievements and awards in swimming, I qualified and competed in this year’s Junior Summer Nationals (YMCA) swim championship in the 100 meter breaststroke.  My swim times continue to improve.

The disease has cost me pain, limitations in my options for physical activity, and enormous amounts of time lost.  But I've learned that patience, hard work, persistence, a positive approach, and a sense of humor can accomplish most anything.  Sometimes I feel badly for all those who are more fortunate in life than I; they could not possibly appreciate as fully as I do the gifts of opportunity, accomplishment, and a challenge met.  I do not take for granted the ability to walk.  Likewise, I do not take for granted the endless opportunities and challenges that lay ahead.  In fact, I look forward to them.