Quai Jefferson Selflessly Cared for His Mother, Vaida, who Suffered from Multiple Sclerosis

New York Yankees Honor University of Delaware Football Freshman Quai Jefferson as Part of HOPE Week

Quai Jefferson committed himself to look after his mother and taking care of the household

For the Jefferson family, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has prevented the natural order from running its course. When Vaida Jefferson was diagnosed with the painful autoimmune disease, her son, Quai (pronounced Kway), was just 6 years old. By the time he was 10, he was running the household, cooking, doing laundry, and helping his mother use the bathroom. Nurses taught him to check Vaida’s blood pressure and inject her twice a day with Copaxone, a drug that eases the effects of MS.

“A lot of people go through tough times and my story kind of shows them that even though you can hit rock bottom, you can come out on top,” Quai said. “So, no matter what, you put your best foot forward and everything will be taken care of. She’s truly my heart, my rock, and my stone. She’s all I have.”

So, while most kids his age were out with friends after school, Quai took over the duties of running a household and caring for his mother, never complaining. But his responsibilities at home certainly didn’t stop his athletic career by any means.

A mother, a son, and a football

He played wide receiver, cornerback, and kick returner at St. Joseph’s for head coach Tony Karcich and earned All-State honors as a senior when he led the team to its third straight state title. He also was a four-year varsity performer in basketball and was an honor roll student.

It’s not easy, but he and his mother have a mantra they repeat to each other in tough times — “Adapt and overcome.”

Quai attended the University of Delaware, where he played football and majored in business administration with an emphasis in accounting or marketing.

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