July 18, 2012- Zach Hamm is not your typical 12-year-old boy. On the surface, Zach is a bright, energetic, fun-loving kid who, if you ask his parents and friends, is unlike any other.

“You don’t have to be around Zach very long to know he’s a winner,” said Craig Biggio, former Houston Astros player and head coach of the St. Thomas State Championship baseball team. Biggio and Zach met in 2010 after a game, where Zach was then dubbed as bench coach and has helped inspire the Eagles.

What you don’t know is Zach is one of 246 children in Texas, one in 10,000 births, diagnosed with Ectodermal Dysplasias (ED). A rare genetic disorder, ED can have multiple effects such as hair, teeth, nails and glands developing abnormally. Zach has skeletal abnormalities which include only having one toe on his right foot and two toes on his left. Also, his sweat glands are not fully functional and he is unable to control his body temperature, particularly in the heat.

Like many other children who suffer from the disorder, Zach was born with it. But, it wasn’t until he was 3 years old that his mother and father discovered what he had. After several doctor’s visits and many sleepless nights, it was Zach’s mother, Susan, who through a Google search of his symptoms came across the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED). After further research and a conversation with the NFED director, the Hamm family finally had some answers.

“That was a seminal moment in all our lives,” said Paul Hamm, Zach’s father. “Up to that point, we had no idea what was wrong exactly and didn’t know how this would affect our son.”

Like any normal teen boy, Zach is a sports enthusiast. His two favorite sports are baseball and golf. In an effort to support the NFED in finding a cure, Zach approached his parents with an idea to share his story by hosting a tournament. On Aug. 12, 2012, the fourth annual Zach Hamm Don’t Sweat It Golf Classic will take place at Gleannloch Pines Golf Club. All of the proceeds benefit the NFED to provide treatment for children, including purchasing wigs and dentures. Zach, his family and the community have raised $100,000 for the foundation to date. More information is available at www.dontsweatitgolf.com.

Zach’s parents continue to learn more about the disorder, and every year the NFED has an annual conference for parents and children with ED. Zach and his family first attended the conference when he was five, and have become active participants as Paul currently sits on the board of directors for the foundation. His parents are also active volunteers in the Klein ISD. Susan was a parent-volunteer at Theiss Elementary and now helps at Doerre Intermediate where Zach prepares for seventh grade.

The Hamms praised his teachers and classmates at Theiss who had always supported them and made Zach feel welcome.

“His teachers did a great job of looking out for him, especially in P.E. because of his sweat issues, and the nurse’s office also had provisions on-hand to help cool him down. Zach's classmates were always very welcoming also, and even made cards while he was out of school having surgery.” said Susan.

In 2010, Zach met Bill Brown, a broadcaster for the Astros. After getting to know Zach, Brown too was inspired. He wrote a book, “My Baseball Journey,” and dedicated all proceeds to the NFED. Zach appears on the front cover and in chapter 26 of the book titled “Don’t Sweat It.” More information is available at www.mybaseballjourney.com.

The ultimate goal for Zach, his family and the NFED is to have the disorder extinguished in the near future. In fact, Zach is optimistic that when he is a father, his children won’t suffer from ED. Credited for his great outlook on life, Zach has one piece of advice for others overcoming the disorder.

“It doesn’t matter what you look like on the outside, it matters how you look on the inside,” he said. “This isn’t a life threatening disease. It doesn’t stop me, and it shouldn’t stop you.”