Andrew was a very active little boy, but at the age of five his life took a radical turn when a brain tumor that applied pressure to his optic nerve caused him to lose his vision in both eyes, as well as some hearing in his right ear. He attended Valleydale Elementary School in Azusa where he learned Braille, piano and started becoming a zealot for baseball and basketball and started to swim for leisure. Andrew competed in the Braille Olympics in the long jump and obstacle course. He had lots of friends with disabilities but he also wanted to be “like everyone else”. He got over his disappointment that he just was not going to be able to play football or basketball and in his sophomore year he went out for the Diamond Bar High School Swim Team. Andrew then joined the Brea Aquatics Club team and went on to compete on the Diamond Bar Junior Varsity Team where he specialized in the 500 Yard Freestyle. Andrew is the first Swim With Mike recipient to attend UCLA.