Liam Doxsee, 9, stands with Iowa baseball athletes Ben Wilmes (19), Michael Seegers (10), Gable Mitchell (2), and Blake Guerin (45) during a baseball game at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. A little over a year ago, Liam, who is living with severe combined immunodeficiency, joined the Iowa baseball team as its Kid Captain, with help from the organization Team IMPACT. This two-year contract has given Liam the chance to deepen his connections with his favorite team and sport.

Mary Matheson carries her son Liam Doxsee, 9, inside their home in Coal Valley, Ill., on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. Liam was diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency — a rare genetic disorder that affects the immune system — when he was just five days old. About one in 58,000 children are born with SCID each year in the U.S.

Health Professional Registered Nurse Elizabeth Giza helps Liam Doxsee, 9, with his feeding tube at Bicentennial Elementary School in Coal Valley, Ill., on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Liam gets nutrition through his gastrostomy tube three times a day: in the morning, at school during lunch, and at night before he goes to bed.

Liam Doxsee, 9, talks with Neurologist Leah Zhorne during an appointment at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Liam has been going to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital for about two years after moving from the Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and has made numerous connections with his caregivers.

Liam Doxsee, 9, spends time in the cafeteria with his friends at Bicentennial Elementary School in Coal Valley, Ill., on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. In a life full of many ups and downs, Liam finds support through family members, friends, and his pug Lulu. “[Lulu] always knows when to [comfort me],” Liam said.

Liam Doxsee, 9, dances for the Iowa softball team before a softball game at Bob Pearl Softball Field in Iowa City, Iowa, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Liam’s mother Mary Matheson said Liam always asks the question “Why me?” to all the opportunities he receives. “I try to remind him that, you know, he gets these for a reason and there's a purpose behind it and that he deserves it,” Matheson said.

Mary Matheson looks outside a window at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital before an appointment in Iowa City, Iowa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Constant appointments and health challenges for Liam also take a toll on Matheson, but she gets help from her partner, Ben Reese, and friends. “I just take it day by day, honestly,” Matheson said. “And some days are more difficult but I usually just try and spend the time when I need to deal with it.”

Liam Doxsee dances in the stands during a baseball game at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. Between attending a few baseball practices and most games and joining in on pregame huddles, Liam’s mother Mary Matheson said Liam treats this opportunity as a job, enjoying every second of it. “Every time he’s not there, I’m kind of sad a little bit because I can always look back and say that my little buddy was standing next to me the whole time,” Iowa baseball infielder Ben Wilmes said.

Liam Doxsee, 9, raises his hand during class at Bicentennial Elementary School in Coal Valley, Ill., on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Liam misses school often because of opportunities and appointments. But, he catches up in a heartbeat and is one of the smartest students in the class.

Medical Assistant in the Department of Nursing Kristina Bevans looks up at Mary Matheson as Liam Doxsee, 9, cries in pain after getting the flu shot at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital in the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Not every aspect of Liam's life involves new experiences, and Liam said living with SCID is a challenge, especially having to go to doctor appointments often as a kid with a sensitive body. “Especially the needles,” Liam said. “See the longer needles, everyone says they don’t hurt a lot. But when I feel them, it’s like I’m getting thrown into a fire pit. It hurts bad.”

Mary Matheson prepares to set up Liam Doxsee’s feeding tube at the family’s home in Coal Valley, Ill., on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. Liam has friends and family who support him through all the challenges he faces. “How we support him is just giving him a little bit of grace and time and learning patience,” Liam’s mother Mary Matheson said. “With him and all he's been through, he has a lot of trauma and anxiety.”

From left; Gracelyn Reese, 5, Kyran Anderson, 10, Julian Oliva, 10, Liam Doxsee, 9, Samuel Reese, 4, and Harper Reese, 6, play outside at the family’s home in Coal Valley, Ill., on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. As Liam’s Instagram profile biography and mother Mary Matheson notes often: “SCID won’t stop this kid.” Liam lives by this mantra.

Liam Doxsee, 9, hugs Iowa head baseball coach Rick Heller before a baseball game at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. Iowa baseball infielder Ben Wilmes said when he first met Liam, the boy was a bit shy walking into the hitting facility. Now, Liam serves a key role in bringing out the laughter and youth of the baseball players. “Liam is a very loving child and very happy and really doesn’t take anything for granted,” Wilmes said. “...We see his happiness side because whenever we’re together, we take away the aspect of his life in the hospital and kind of help him completely forget about that in the moment.”