This piece tells the story of Myles favata, a 15-year-old athlete with spina bifida, and the unbreakable bond he shares with his father, Jamie. From Myles’ first adaptive sled hockey practice at eight years old to his continued growth within the Central New York Flyers community, this narrative celebrates the power of love, advocacy, and resilience. Jamie’s dedication as a father and team manager shows how support and inclusion can transform lives.

Jamie Favata helps his son, Myles Favata, put on his gear before their charity game against the Syracuse men’s club hockey team. Myles fell in love with hockey at age three while watching a game on TV with his dad. After watching the Paralympics in

Jamie Favata helps his son, Myles Favata, put on his gear before their charity game against the Syracuse men’s club hockey team. Myles fell in love with hockey at age three while watching a game on TV with his dad. After watching the Paralympics in 2018, eight-year-old Myles knew he wanted to be on the ice, not just watch from the sidelines. Before becoming a father, Jamie promised to do everything he could to support his children’s sports aspirations. Finding the Central New York Flyers is just one way Jamie has helped turn Myles’ dreams into a reality.

Myles Favata smiles on the ice during a team practice at Tennity Ice Pavilion. For Myles, like most teenage boys, sports are a central part of life. Whether managing his high school’s hockey team or competing with the Flyers, sports allow Myles to

Myles Favata smiles on the ice during a team practice at Tennity Ice Pavilion. For Myles, like most teenage boys, sports are a central part of life. Whether managing his high school’s hockey team or competing with the Flyers, sports allow Myles to express himself, compete, and connect with others experiencing the same struggles. “I may be playing a different sport, but I’m still playing sports,” Myles says, “I found a sport that I love to play and I can play. There’s nothing better than that.”

Jamie and Myles share a laugh over a photo of Myles’ hair from a recent hockey game. From the moment Myles was born, he and Jamie have shared a unique bond. The two can only describe their relationship as “untraditional,” moving beyond the tradition

Jamie and Myles share a laugh over a photo of Myles’ hair from a recent hockey game. From the moment Myles was born, he and Jamie have shared a unique bond. The two can only describe their relationship as “untraditional,” moving beyond the traditional father-son relationship to best friends.

On behalf of CNY Adaptive Sports, Jamie explains adaptive bikes and scooters to families at The Jowonio School, a nonprofit preschool serving young children with various abilities. As the treasurer of CNY Adaptive Sports, the organization behind the

On behalf of CNY Adaptive Sports, Jamie explains adaptive bikes and scooters to families at The Jowonio School, a nonprofit preschool serving young children with various abilities. As the treasurer of CNY Adaptive Sports, the organization behind the Flyers and eight other adaptive programs, Jamie plays an important role in growing the adaptive sports community. This role allows him to help create opportunities for individuals with disabilities to experience the camaraderie and empowerment of team sports. “I enjoy donating. Giving back is an important thing, I believe. The most valuable resource in this world is time. It's not money. You never get time back, so if you give your time, I feel like it's a stronger statement of giving.”

Myles was born with spina bifida, a congenital birth defect that occurs when the spine doesn’t close properly during fetal development. As a result, Myles deals with partial paralysis and hydrocephalus as a result of the damaged neural pathways and a

Myles was born with spina bifida, a congenital birth defect that occurs when the spine doesn’t close properly during fetal development. As a result, Myles deals with partial paralysis and hydrocephalus as a result of the damaged neural pathways and anatomical differences that exist. Often, physical disabilities are approached medically with a desire to “fix” the issue, ignoring the role of supportive, loving parents in predicting a positive outcome for children with chronic conditions. The love, support, and advocacy Jamie gives Myles foster his strength and ability to adapt to adversity. Love is more than an emotion, it is a powerful force that opens opportunities, inspires resilience and creates change.

Myles competes with the CNY Flyers in their annual charity match against the Syracuse University men’s club hockey team. The team offers Myles more than an opportunity to play a sport. It provides him and others a space to grow as individuals. Throu

Myles competes with the CNY Flyers in their annual charity match against the Syracuse University men’s club hockey team. The team offers Myles more than an opportunity to play a sport. It provides him and others a space to grow as individuals. Through athletics, players have the opportunity to prove themselves beyond the constraints society has placed on the disabled community. “It [sports] changes lives. It [sports] gives people the same opportunity to share in those moments, those experiences that help to cultivate so many people and teach them how to succeed, how to overcome, and how to work with a group. Those are all important life lessons, and it gives them that opportunity.”

Jamie rides an adaptive bike, showing parents and students at The Jowonio School how it works. Jamie’s advocacy for Myles extends far beyond sports. When Myles was younger, Jamie took on two groups of corporate lawyers to get bladder management serv

Jamie rides an adaptive bike, showing parents and students at The Jowonio School how it works. Jamie’s advocacy for Myles extends far beyond sports. When Myles was younger, Jamie took on two groups of corporate lawyers to get bladder management services at daycares. His efforts led to a comprehensive, court-based template other parents could use to advocate for their child’s needs. “It started with other families just struggling to get the same thing that I was in Syracuse, and word of mouth kept spreading it. Now it’s like a playbook that the group uses for their children.”

The father and son share a quiet moment in their basement, watching Sunday afternoon sports. Parenting a child with different abilities comes with challenges no amount of research can fully prepare you for. For the Favatas, the Flyers are a source

The father and son share a quiet moment in their basement, watching Sunday afternoon sports. Parenting a child with different abilities comes with challenges no amount of research can fully prepare you for. For the Favatas, the Flyers are a source of community, support, insight, and understanding. “With a regular group of people that don’t necessarily understand, there are embarrassing moments,” says Jamie, “ But with this group, they’ve all experienced the same moments, and you can talk about it freely, and it's not embarrassing.”

Jamie fixes loose nails on the ramp he built, connecting Myles’ room to the backyard patio. Many things most parents take for granted are daily considerations or struggles for the Favatas. While Myles has grown more independent and self-sufficient,

Jamie fixes loose nails on the ramp he built, connecting Myles’ room to the backyard patio. Many things most parents take for granted are daily considerations or struggles for the Favatas. While Myles has grown more independent and self-sufficient, the family continues to navigate situations other families never consider, like ensuring home accessibility and managing bowel movements. “Navigating going to other people's houses is a very subtle thing that nobody thinks about. But how are you going to get him into the house,” Jamie says, “… not everyone has a ramp.”

Jamie waits for Myles to get home from school so they can leave for their tournament in Albany. Playing on the same team has deepened their already strong bond. Whether traveling across the Northeast for games or teaming up to score goals, hockey ha

Jamie waits for Myles to get home from school so they can leave for their tournament in Albany. Playing on the same team has deepened their already strong bond. Whether traveling across the Northeast for games or teaming up to score goals, hockey has become a sacred and special place to connect over their love for the sport.

Jamie and Myles laugh while looking at a baby photo of Myles on Jamie’s phone. When Jamie and his wife, Diane, learned that Myles would be born with a congenital disability, they made a choice about how they would raise him. They decided to raise hi

Jamie and Myles laugh while looking at a baby photo of Myles on Jamie’s phone. When Jamie and his wife, Diane, learned that Myles would be born with a congenital disability, they made a choice about how they would raise him. They decided to raise him with a mindset of resilience and problem-solving rather than anger and victimhood. “The world is a cruel place for anybody. If you allow it to, it will chew you up and spit you out,” Jamie says, “You have two options. You could either blame everybody and everything else for your current situation, or you can just find out what you don't like about it and fix it yourself, take care of the job. And so we’ve basically always made him fix it.”

The Central New York Flyers practice at Sunny Crest Ice Rink with their head coach, Chuck Gridley. Weekly practices didn’t just spark Myles’ love for the sport; they also sparked Jamie’s. Over time, Jamie found himself becoming an integral part of t

The Central New York Flyers practice at Sunny Crest Ice Rink with their head coach, Chuck Gridley. Weekly practices didn’t just spark Myles’ love for the sport; they also sparked Jamie’s. Over time, Jamie found himself becoming an integral part of the team. During the 2019-2020 season, he took on the role of team manager, dedicating his efforts to ensuring the team's continued existence for Myles.

Hockey pucks, including Myles’ first-ever goal puck, decorate his room walls and document his love for the sport. Being part of a team has allowed Myles to grow as an athlete and individual. Over the years, Jamie has seen Myles become more confident

Hockey pucks, including Myles’ first-ever goal puck, decorate his room walls and document his love for the sport. Being part of a team has allowed Myles to grow as an athlete and individual. Over the years, Jamie has seen Myles become more confident, motivated to be active, and increasingly independent.

Myles sits in the living room with his dad, watching a soccer game, one of the many shared moments in their home. Myles wants others to understand that his disability doesn’t define him. While it may influence certain aspects of his life, it doesn’t

Myles sits in the living room with his dad, watching a soccer game, one of the many shared moments in their home. Myles wants others to understand that his disability doesn’t define him. While it may influence certain aspects of his life, it doesn’t limit his potential or goals. He faces life’s challenges with determination and positivity, showing that while his disability is a part of him, his positive personality, resilience, and family shape who he is.

After practice, Jamie helps Myles transition from his sled back into his wheelchair. For Jamie, advocating for Myles is simply part of being a father. He’s committed to ensuring nothing stands in the way of Myles’ passions and works tirelessly to f

After practice, Jamie helps Myles transition from his sled back into his wheelchair. For Jamie, advocating for Myles is simply part of being a father. He’s committed to ensuring nothing stands in the way of Myles’ passions and works tirelessly to foster every opportunity for him. “It's just your job,” Jamie says, “It allows him to maintain nativity and niceness in the world. And if that's a sacrifice you gotta make to advocate, no matter how ruthless or obnoxious or whatever it might be, it allows him to continue to be a child.”