Rachel's First Steps

Rachel got her orthotic/prosthetic leg!

It looks like this:


For those who haven't followed her story, Rachel has pseudoarthrosis of the tibia secondary to neurofibromatosis-1. Her lower left leg was broken in infancy and is 5 inches shorter than her right. She underwent a half-dozen failed surgical attempts to repair the leg before she came into our care in February 2009.

We were thrilled when her ortho surgeon suggested this orthotic/prosthetic, which will allow her to walk on two feet and give her more time to decide whether she wants to have the lower part of her leg amputated or to undergo a very involved and painful surgical limb salvage and lengthening process. Rachel was so happy when she heard she could be walking without her crutches--and without surgery!

Here's Rachel at the orthotist's trying on her new leg for the first time:


She's up! Only a few tears!

Rachel walked a few steps with support at the orthotist's, but there wasn't much room in his little workshop/office, so she couldn't practice much there. The next day we bought her a school shoe to fit the prosthesis and went back to the guesthouse to try it out.

Here's a video of Rachel's first attempt to walk on two feet with no one's assistance:

We're all so quiet because it's late at night and we're in a public guesthouse, but it was a pretty exciting event and we all just wanted to cheer!

Since then, the orthotic's been adjusted a bit and she gets around even better.

Rachel felt even more confident and walked better pushing Aaron in the wheelchair. It's always so nice to see a child who's always needed a wheelchair move around to the back and push one for the first time! I'm sure Aaron won't be far behind her in achieving this!

Thanks so much for loving and praying for Rachel. It's such a joy to see her confidence grow!