Cassidy

Congenital Femoral Deficiency, Fibular Hemimelia, Limb Length Discrepancy New York Dr. Standard
Watching her leap through the air with amazing poise and grace, you would never guess that Cassidy was born with congenital femoral deficiency and fibular hemimelia causing a significant difference in the length of her legs and knee instability and misalignment. Over the course of her childhood, Cassidy underwent many surgeries including guided growth, where a plate was applied to her crooked bone to gradually straighten it as she grew, a knee reconstruction, an internal lengthening of her right leg with a Precice nail, and a growth plate fusion to slow the growth of her left leg. After all of these treatments under the care of Dr. Standard, knee braces, and hard work in physical therapy, Cassidy has not only overcome the conditions she was born with, she has truly thrived as evidenced by her stunning, first prize-winning World Dance Championship performance with her older sister Abby that you can watch here. (Cassidy starts out on the right, and she is the one lifted twice by Abby in this dance routine.)

Her mother, Caroline, shares that as a result of treatment at the International Center for Limb Lengthening (ICLL), “… our daughter’s life has changed in such a positive way! Although treatment has at times been difficult, she is able to do things… that she never would have been able to do otherwise. More specifically, she has become a very high-level dancer, even through her treatments, competing at national and world levels. She is amazing!! For this reason, our family has gained a better perspective in facing life’s challenges. It has also brought us great peace, knowing that our girl is able to do all the things she would like to do, moving forward in her life.”

When asked about their experience at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics (RIAO), Caroline adds, “I would describe all the staff, not only in the clinic, but throughout the hospital and across the street at the Hackerman-Patz House, as kind, patient, upbeat, positive and willing to accommodate/help in any way possible. I would also say, that other patient families that we have spent time with at the HP House, or over at physical therapy, have also been positive influences and helpful in more ways than can be counted. It is truly a community, and everyone is friendly and happy to assist each other.”

Caroline concludes, “My daughter started her journey here at 15 months of age. Today, at the sensitive age of 15, she continues to fight through her fears and finish what we have started. She is a warrior and has faced more obstacles, like her fellow RIAO friends, than the typical adult. I am so proud of her!”