Ashley is 13 years old. This past summer she hiked 7.5 miles 5,000 feet up in elevation out of the Grand Canyon, and 8.2 miles 4,000 feet down in elevation from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park. Besides her love of hiking, Ashley is a Competitive Swimmer, Soccer Player and Ballet Dancer. For the past three years, Ashley has played many dancing roles in the Nutcracker and is currently studying Ballet Dance on Pointe.
“In March, 2011 my 8 year old son was diagnosed with Perthes Disease and referred to a specialist to plan his treatment. At the time, I had no idea what that meant. After 2 conflicting opinions about the course of treatment for my son, I reached out to his pediatrician for guidance. She urged me to go see Dr. Feldman, stating that because he is so good at what he does, she would trust him with her own children. That piece of advice changed our lives…”
I was sitting in my Mom’s belly pretzel style before I was born. My legs and feet were tangled up together. My legs, feet, arms and hands had tight joints. The problem is called Arthrogryposis. My Mom and Dad were very worried when I was born. They did not know if I would stand, walk, and write when I grew up…
Axel was born on a Monday and Dr Feldman saw him and started to treat him on the Thursday of the same week. Although, he diagnosed hips dislocation, knees dislocation and a very severe case of bilateral clubfeet, he was very encouraging. He reassured us, Axel could get better through the Ponseti method.
Our daughter Caroline is a miracle. She has defied every odd since the day of her birth. She is courageous, resilient, strong, tough, determined. Brave. If she were a story book, she would be “The Little Engine That Could.” If she were a word it would be Hope. She was born premature and still, unable to move at all. On the day of her birth, she underwent a six hour MRI under general anesthesia, from which they warned she may not survive. Upon discharge from the hospital six weeks later, they recommended two homes that we should consider putting her in. They said she probably would never walk and may never eat on her own. We took her home.