Personal Life
Expecting to spend his retirement selling insurance in Overland Park, Kansas, in 1992 Hearn was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Hearn would immediately undergo a kidney transplant and would be required to take several types of medication on a daily basis. Due to the debilitating effects of the disease, and mood swings caused by the medication, in 1993 Hearn almost committed suicide, but was able to fight his way past it through faith and a chance request for him to give a motivational seminar. Finding a renewed strength, Hearn would struggle on despite being treated for skin cancer twice, undergoing two more kidney transplants, and being diagnosed with sleep apnea (requiring mechanical assistance to breathe while sleeping) - all of which forces him to take more than fifty types of medication on a daily basis.
Hearn currently works as a motivational speaker. In 2001, Hearn was awarded the prestigious Certified Speaking Profession (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association. He is the first and only professional athlete to receive this designation (only 8% of speakers throughout the world have received this distinguished honor).
Hearn also operates two charities: the NephCure Foundation, which raises money for researching kidney diseases, and the Bottom of the Ninth Foundation, which is a mentorship program for children.
Hearn has written an autobiography entitled Conquering Life’s Curves – Baseball, Battles & Beyond He resides in Shawnee, Kansas with his wife, Trish and son, Cody.
Read more about this topic: Ed Hearn (baseball)
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