Connor's Battle Tested Fundraiser

Connor was born with PFFD (Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency). His right hip and leg are under developed. This left him with uneven legs and if left untreated you would most likely develop scoliosis and may other complications.

Shriner's took Connor on as a patient when he was 18 months old! From then on they have made countless shoe lifts and AFO's (Ankle Brace). They also have been doing surgeries to help correct his leg. To date he has had 8 surgeries, all in an effort to 'get both feet on the ground.' There are 2 ways to lengthen a leg, with a Taylor Frame that looks like a halo device for spinal cord injuries but on the leg. Connor has had the Taylor frame twice, once on his Femur (thigh bone) and once on his Tibia(shin bone). These devices are quite painfull. The bone is broken and pins are placed on either side of the bone and wires are placed from the frame through the leg to help support the leg. We then turn struts once a dayfor abour 2 months to pull the bone apart and let the new bone fill the space that has been pulled apart. Connor said the pin turning wasnt as bad for him as the Physical Therapy and stretches he had to do 3 times a week at Shriner's. Ontop of the 3 days a week at Shriner's we had to home PT and stretches 2 times a day EVERYDAY including the days we were at PT. The pin care was also painful for connor. Gently cleaning open wounds for about 6 months. This time on July 11 Connor had his 3rd lengthing procedure begin but this time its an internal lengthening. There is a nail or rod inside the hollow of his femur bone, while there are no open wounds to care for Connor cannot bare weight on this leg for almost 4 months and then after its very little with PT as he beings to heal the bone. With this device we use an elctro magnet to lengthen. The rod inside his bone has a magnet and we use a special device that once we turn it on and connect it, it will lenghen connors leg 0.33mm. we do this 3 times a day for 50 days. We will get 1mm a day and a total of 50mm or just under 2". With all of these surgeries and PT sessions Connor has been treated at Shriner's Hospital for Children-St. Louis, MO over 350 times and that number will only increase as we have just started this 3rd lengthening and will have a few more surgies and many more PT sessions to go before "Both feet areon te Ground!"

Connor always stays extremely positive throughout these procedures. He has grown to be the Mentor so to speak to the younger ones and the ones who are going through this for the fisrt time. He is always a cheerleader for those kids and is constantly trying to help make there PT sessions easier and not as painful. While he can't take their pain away he always uses the best medicine known to man, LAUGHTER! Connor is a Loving Generous and Fierce Friend and he would love to be able to give back to the place that has given him more than he could ever ask for!! Thank you Shriner's for everything you have done And Thank you Connor for showing us what a true hero is!! Love you buddy!!