For 13 years, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) has been the primary beneficiary of the MetroPCS Dallas White Rock Marathon Presented by Nexbank. TSRHC treats Texas children with orthopedic conditions such as scoliosis, hand disorders, hip disorders, clubfoot and limb length differences as well as certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia, at no charge to patient families. Starting in 2007, several TSRHC patients offered to help represent the many bright faces treated at the hospital by becoming a patient champion. The patient champion program is a way for the community to participate in race-weekend activities and fundraise on behalf of a patient.
Skeeter, age 15 of Forney, Texas, has been a prosthetics patient at TSRHC since 2001. His left foot was amputated at age 6, and he has been fitted with several different prostheses since his initial visit at TSRHC. A sophomore at Forney High School, he is section leader for the tubas in the Forney High School band. He likes football and basketball and played baseball with the Forney Youth Baseball Association. Skeeter has attended the Amputee Coalition of America Camp and also spends time offering advice and visiting with fellow TSRHC patients after a surgery or important visit to the hospital. He attended the 27th and 28th annual TSRHC amputee ski trip and a hospital fishing trip with other TSRHC patients in 2008, and his passion for flying has led him to pursue training for a pilot’s license to fly Lear jets.
Maya, age 5 of Austin, Texas, has been a TSRHC patient since 2005. She was born with bilateral hip dysplasia, a condition that caused her hips to be out of socket. After learning that Maya would require surgery on her hips, her parents turned to TSRHC, which treats thousands of patients with hip disorders every year. At the young age of 18 months Maya underwent surgery, and within three months she was out of her body cast. One year later, she was able to walk. Today, Maya is an energetic dancer who loves to move to the beat of any genre of music. She loves to do yoga and has recently requested ballet classes. Maya’s young and vivacious spirit serves as inspiration to all who witness it.
At 2 years old, TSRHC patient Addison of Rockwall, Texas, is sure to tug at the heart strings of all she meets. She has been a patient since she was 5 days old. As a result of a rare genetic disorder that causes her to have multiple dislocations, Addison has been treated for conditions including hand and knee dislocations, clubfoot -and hip dysplasia, or dislocated hip. Since her first visit, she has had approximately 30 casts and three surgeries. Despite the challenges, Addison is able to pull herself up using furniture at home, walk with her walker and play with her older sister, Macie, age 8. Addison serves as a role model for Macie, who in a class project wrote about wanting to become an orthopedic surgeon so she could help others like TSRHC has helped Addison.
Molly has received treatment for scoliosis at TSRHC since she was 12 years old. Scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, affects two to three percent of school-aged children. Since starting high school, Molly has found a passion in long-distance running and joined the cross-country team. When Molly learned the Dallas White Rock Marathon benefits TSRHC, she wanted to get involved and give back. So, this year she is registered to run the half marathon in support of the hospital that has provided her care at no charge.
TSRHC patient Dominic, age 4 of Natalia, Texas, (near San Antonio, Texas) is treated in the hospital’s Charles E. Seay, Jr. Hand Center for polysyndactyly, a complex condition in which a child’s fingers or toes do not fully separate during development. He had his first surgery at 10 months old, when TSRHC physicians separated his fused fingers. In January 2009, a surgery on his left foot helped him to be able to wear sandals. Dominic’s father describes him as a typical 4-year-old who loves being on the computer and “getting his hands in things.” He enjoys the alphabet game, doing puzzles and is a loyal San Antonio Spurs fan. His true passion, according to his Dad, is cars. He says, “Dominic can name every make on the road right now.”
Robert, age 9 of Plano, Texas, has been a patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since he was 7 weeks old. He was born with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), or an abnormal hip socket formation. When Robert was 6 months old, he was placed in a soft, fabric brace in an attempt to keep his hip from dislocating. A short five months later and to help correct his hip further, Robert underwent surgery at TSRHC. He spent the next two months in a hip spica cast used to immobilize the hips. At age 5, Robert underwent his second surgery and was again placed in a hip spica cast. During his recovery, Robert re-learned how to walk with the help of physical therapists. Now pain free and walking independently, Robert excels in sports. He plays baseball and golf and enjoys running and swimming. According to his family, Robert has a special name for his affected right hip calling it his “power bionic hip.” His exuberant, happy-go-lucky nature perfectly compliments his love for acting and the arts. He plays the piano, is a fan of Pokémon and loves “American Idol.”
About Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation’s leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. There is no charge to patient families for treatment at the hospital, and admission is open to Texas children from birth up to 18 years of age. For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please call (214) 559-5000 or (800) 421-1121 or visit http://www.tsrhc.org.
