Plant City’s Hehn finding his way after epilepsy diagnosis
With no prior history, Plant City’s Wellington Hehn suffered a seizure in December and has managed his senior season while facing unexpected challenges.
By Brandon Wright, Features writer
PLANT CITY – Everything changed for Wellington Hehn in December of 2023. Sitting for a mid-term exam, something went terribly wrong. He had no idea what was happening, but it didn’t feel like anything he’d experienced in his 18 years of life.
Then the lights went out.
“It was a little freaky in the moment,” he said.
It might have been more frightening if Hehn could remember what exactly happened. He came to after “about a minute” but had no recollection of the event. Fortunately, the staff at Plant City High took quick action.
But his entire life turned upside down that day.
“It’s been tough,” he said.
“I’m not worried about it. My mom is super nervous but there’s nothing I can do about it, so I’m going to keep on doing what I’m doing.” – Wellington Hehn
Hehn had a seizure during class in December. With no prior history of events like this in his family, there was concern.
Bring on the battery of tests.
“There’s no real clear answers as to the cause,” mother Maggie Hehn said. “That’s the real scary part.”
Hehn was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy. After failing to find a definitive origin, Maggie Hehn could at least take solace in the fact many of the terrifying options had been crossed off the list.
“The most significant and scariest thing to think about when we’re talking about the brain is a tumor and it’s not that,” she said. “He’s had a CT scan, an MRI and a 72-hour EEG where they hook wires to your head and you’re in front of a video for three days.”
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Despite his hulking 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame, Hehn exudes an easy way. Long, flowing brown locks drape out of the back of his hat and maybe the only thing more relaxed than Hehn’s demeanor is his attitude toward the burgeoning affliction.
“I’m not worried about it,” Hehn said. “My mom is super nervous but there’s nothing I can do about it, so I’m going to keep on doing what I’m doing.”
While he presents a blasé attitude, the effects cannot be ignored. Hehn takes medication twice a day which, amongst other things, affects his energy level.
“For me, school has always come pretty easy and my teachers have been pretty relaxed about it so it’s been a little easier than I thought,” he said. “But I feel like I’ve gotten the worst of the side effects. Baseball has been tough.”
Hehn was selected as a captain for the Raiders this year, and is signed to play baseball at FAMU.
It’s been a long time since Hehn has had a good night’s sleep.
“I’ve been tired a lot,” he said. “Insomnia, mostly. It’s been about a month since I’ve had a solid amount of sleep.”
Recruited as a pitcher, Hehn’s committed to play for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) next year, but he’s also had to deal with vision issues due to the medication’s effects while still a Raider at the plate.
“Picking up the ball out of the pitcher’s hand is tough,” he said. “I’m used to looking in one spot and then it’s in another just like that.”
Maggie Hehn, a traveling nurse, said they are working to find a new drug to make her son’s life a little more normal.
“The medication they started him on causes tiredness and mood swings, which is not typically something he deals with,” she said. “He’s usually a pretty mellow kid. So, we’re switching his meds to one with less significant side effects. It’s messed with his (senior) season quite a bit.”
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The first time it happened on the baseball field, the climate changed from conjecture to action. Hehn’s teammates were aware of what happened in December but now the frightening scene was playing out in the infield dirt near third base.
“They did everything they needed to do and I am so proud of his teammates,” Plant City head coach Michael Fryrear said. “(Hehn) is a great kid and he doesn’t deserve this. No one deserves this.”
Hehn’s boys, many of whom he’d played alongside since Little League, sprung to action. They had been briefed on what to do in this situation, so they rolled the big man on his side. Made sure there was no dirt in his mouth and he could breathe. Cleared the area. Kept him safe and notified the proper folks.
But that’s what friends – no, that’s what family – does. They take care of their own. Hehn can’t drive for at least six months while doctors dial in his medication, so his teammates have picked him up.
“They all grew up together, so it’s more than baseball,” Fryrear said. “That’s the ticket for these guys.”
Since his first seizure in December of last year, Hehn has had three while on the field. Raiders head coach Mike Fryrear said the team has been educated on how to help in emergency cases, and have rallied around their senior captain.
Whether it’s been the seizure on the field – Hehn’s had a total of three to this point – or a simple task, Fryrear has noted how the Raiders have rallied around their senior captain.
“As a team we’ve talked about what we can do if it happens (on the field),” he said “We went over protocol and everything to help him. All the way down to (junior varsity). We’re all aware of it.”
It’s been a wild ride the past four months for Hehn. But through the struggles he’s been solid on the field and excellent in the classroom. He’ll let everyone else do the worrying. And with districts right around the corner, Hehn just wants to keep doing what he loves – play baseball.
“The first time I had (a seizure) I was pretty nervous,” he said. “But after a while I’m just like it is what it is. There’s nothing I can do about it. So, I have to just keep coming here to put the work in and do the best I can.”
Hehn (right) along with fellow senior captain Colin Pelicer (#23) at a game in March.
