He plays baseball and basketball. He was on his school’s varsity tennis team. He biked 250 miles over eight days. He trekked through the mountains of Filmont, NM with his boy scout troop.
He did all of this with one arm and two prosthetic legs.
Meet Greg Rybka, a freshman who refuses to let his body get in the way of accomplishing great things.
Rybka was born in South Korea to his single, biological mother. Unsure if she could properly provide for a son born with fibular hemimelia – an abnormality that caused Rybka to be born without fibulae in his lower legs – Rybka’s birth mother made the difficult decision to put Greg up for adoption.
Eighteen years later, Rybka said he is grateful for his birth mother’s sacrifice.
“At 14 months I was adopted by parents who were living in Texas doing mission work in Reynosa, Mexico,” Rybka said.
His adoptive mother, Kelly Rybka, said she and her husband battled with the red tape of the adoption process. The agency lost their paperwork once, but the Rybkas filed again in December of 1995 and prayed to have a referral by Ash Wednesday – Feb. 24.
“They called us on February 24th with a referral,” Kelly said. “We had prayed the rosary every day.”
Before he was adopted, Rybka’s parents had to go to an orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon told them not to adopt him.
“He ended the conversation saying he hoped to never see us again,” Kelley said. “But we went ahead and adopted him anyway. I never doubted it was God’s will.”
After Greg’s adoption, his parents found a different surgeon who gave them two choices: either Greg would undergo several surgeries over the course of 15 years, or they could amputate his legs.
His parents chose the amputation and on Christmas Day at the age of two, Greg received his first pair of prostheses.
“He was walking in two months,” Kelly said. “He had a certain drive in him. It didn’t take too long.”
Greg lived in Texas through his 6th-grade year, spending his Saturdays serving the mission where his uncle was a priest and his aunt a nun. He also attended a bilingual school during the week.
In 2008, Greg’s family moved to Ohio – his parents’ home state – where he has lived since.
Greg discussed how he faced certain challenges growing up.
“My parents were dead set on me learning to tie my own shoes by kindergarten,” he said. “Riding a bike – it was hard to keep my balance – it took me until I was about seven.”
Despite the challenges Greg’s situation presented, his mother said it is has been nothing compared to the joy he has brought their family.
“God has been so faithful,” Kelly said. “Greg faced every challenge gracefully – not without struggles – but with an ‘I’ll do it’ attitude.”
His mother said Greg was never self-conscious about his situation and never once was he made fun of by his peers.
“Sometimes kids would go up to him and say, ‘You have robot legs!’” Kelly said. “He would respond, ‘Ya aren’t they cool? Want to see them?”
Kelly said her son has been a wonderful role model to his six younger siblings. Greg said his strong Catholic family and faith enabled him to overcome challenges.
“I draw strength from my faith,” Greg said. “I know there is a higher power and He has a plan for me.”
Greg is quick to give credit not only to his Heavenly Father, but also to his adopted father.
“My dad is the optimist. He is behind me in all I do,” Greg said. “I remember lying in the living room, doing leg raises and ab exercises – they were a bear – but my dad was beside me saying other people have it worse. I thank God for him.”
With his high school achievements behind him, Greg has come to Hillsdale College looking to be formed as a person and answer some of the big questions of life.
He said Hillsdale warmly accepted him.
“I go out and show people I can do anything they can do – and possibly [do it] better,” Greg said. “I just have to persevere and get out of my comfort zone.”
Nathan Schlueter, associate professor of philosophy, first encountered Greg over the phone.
“He called to talk about the value of a liberal arts education,” Schlueter said. “I was amazed at the insight and maturity of his questions. He never told me about his background or his challenges.”
Schlueter found out about Greg’s physical situation through Schlueter’s brother, who knows Rybka.
“In short, this kid is really impressive,” Schlueter said. “When he was in eighth grade his parents told him they couldn’t afford Catholic school. So Greg started a lawn-mowing business, which paid his way through high school.”
Greg said he is thankful for these four years to immerse himself in being a full time student – an opportunity he said he will not likely have again.
“I get to rub shoulders with like-minded people and grow in my faith,” Greg said.
He would like to go back to South Korea and thank his birth mother. He said he knows it is not easy to put your child up for adoption.
In the end, Greg said his biggest challenges are not due to his physical situation. To him, being a student and starting college is the challenge.
“That, and being a man of virtue – that is what I aspire to,” Greg said.
He encouraged students who struggle with any disability – physical, emotional, or academic – to be optimistic.
“Think about all the blessings God has given you – they far outweigh any challenge you may be facing,” Greg said. “You need perseverance, a positive attitude, faith in God.”
