MOBILE, Alabama -- University of South Alabama pediatric resident Dr. Tyler Sexton has always said that 10 percent of life is what happens to you, and 90 percent of life is how you react to it.

"We're all struggling with something, but you only handicap yourself by choice," Sexton said.

In February 1986, Sexton was born 12 weeks premature. His lungs collapsed as he was being flown to a hospital neonatal unit in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and doctors didn't think he would survive. Against all odds, baby Tyler went home 12 weeks later. But as he grew, his parents noticed he wasn't sitting up or crawling.

At 18 months, Tyler was diagnosed with spastic diplegia, the most common form of cerebral palsy that affects balance as well as movement below the waist.

Tyler endured 16 surgeries, with his first major surgery at the age of 4. His parents were told he would likely spend his life in a wheelchair. Tyler, however, was determined to prove his doctors wrong.

Now 28, he is a second-year pediatric resident at USA. "My story is one of trials and tribulations," he said, "but it's a good one."

After graduating from the University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences, Sexton had every intention of staying in the United States for medical school. He applied to 20 medical schools in the U.S. and interviewed at five. Despite his competitive score on the MCAT – the test all medical colleges require – not one would accept him.

"I was told by multiple universities that I would never become a doctor because of my disability," he said. "I was forced to go to the Caribbean to support my dream."

Sexton said, however, that the Caribbean ended up being the greatest place for him - it was there that he met his wife, Laura. Attending University of Sint Eustatius in the Caribbean also fueled his sub-specialty of hyperbaric medicine, used for the treatment of wounded and injured divers from decompression sickness. Sexton, an avid scuba diver, graduated with a medical degree in pediatric and hyperbaric medicine in 2011.

Soon after, he was accepted into the pediatric residency program at USA. He credits his parents, Lisa and Kevin Sexton of Palm Harbor, Fla., for daring him to dream. "I thank them every day for that," he said. His younger sister, Emilee, 24, also supported his dreams and became passionate about working with special needs children along the way - so much so that she is currently attending the University of South Florida to pursue a degree in nursing.

Rather than his disability being an obstacle to his work at USA Children's & Women's Hospital, Sexton says it gives him credibility with his patients. "When I walk in a patient's room I can say 'I know what's going on with you,'" he said. "I can say, 'Do you have a dream? I'm going to help you get there.'"

"There are moments when I have laughed and cried with patients," he added. "Some people come to me specifically because of my disability, and I love building real relationships with them. I can instantly help them move past perceived barriers in their lives."

Sexton, who dons a superhero t-shirt instead of the traditional white coat, said one of the greatest compliments he receives from his patients is, "My doctor has a doggie!" Gunner, a 3-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, is Sexton's "living cane" and was trained to help the young doctor maintain his balance when walking. "I used to fall four to six times daily and had several injuries," he said. "Gunner can adapt for me, he helps bear weight, and he'll find the safest route for me."

"I can instantly identify with these kids because of Gunner," he added. "Dogs have the ability to break down barriers. No matter how bad your day is the dogs still love you."

Sexton said more than 70 percent of individuals with cerebral palsy have spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. People with this form of the disorder have difficulty walking because tight hip and leg muscles cause their legs to pull together, turn inward, and cross at the knees – also known as scissoring.

However, Sexton drives to work unassisted and has full balance and full dexterity in his hands. He can't walk long distances, but he is able to see patients all day with the help of Gunner.

Dr. James Van Buren, a second-year resident with the USA pediatrics program, said Tyler is a good person to work with, and a good friend to have. "Tyler goes above and beyond when it comes to patient care," Van Buren said. "He connects with all of his patients and their families."

One of those families is the McCormick family of Hurley, Miss. When Tinley McCormick was born at USA Children's & Women's Hospital, she had seven blockages in her intestines and needed surgery when she was just a few hours old. After her first surgery, Tinley still wasn't improving.

Tinley's mom, Taryn McCormick, said it was then that she sat down with Sexton, who at the time was on rotation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

"I'm one of those moms that questions everything," McCormick said. "Dr. Sexton is a very caring, intelligent person, and he was very patient with me. He can understand the emotions that run through a family during trying times."

Tinley was in the NICU for 80 days and underwent a second surgery. Now, Dr. Sexton is the only doctor Tinley sees. "We still drive an hour to see him for check-ups," said McCormick.

Tinley, who just celebrated her first birthday, is doing well and has no problem recognizing her doctor. "She's so at ease around him," McCormick said. "They had an immediate connection."

"When I think about Dr. Sexton, I think about how he is such an inspiration to anyone that he comes in contact with," she added. "Even if things are hard sometimes, he always has the right things to say. And that means a lot."

Sexton, who had always wanted to be a doctor because of his disability, said there is much more to medicine than the diagnosis. "We as physicians have the power to create hope and to destroy someone's hope all in one sentence," he said. "For me, I was told I would never do anything. I want to give my patients and their families accurate descriptions of what's going on, but I also want to give them hope in that."

Dr. Franklin Trimm, professor of pediatrics at the USA College of Medicine and program director for the pediatric residency program, said Sexton brings a tremendous understanding to his work encounters every day. "With his background, he does an excellent job of connecting with the patients," Trimm said. "Often, Tyler gives families a positive view of what their child's future might entail - something they might not have envisioned otherwise."

Sexton said he thanks the USA pediatric residency program for looking at something different and allowing him to give them something dynamic. "For Dr. Trimm to see that and take a chance on me," he said, "it's incredible."

For the young doctor, life is entirely about turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones. "Our lives sometimes don't go as planned, and in a lot of ways we think there's no hope," he said. "People told me I couldn't do a lot of things – like walk, talk, and be a doctor."

"This world is going to tell you what it thinks, but if you want to go for something, go for it. If that's your dream, do it."

Story by Ashley Givens

Photos & video by Bill Starling