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Inspiring Stories: Silas Stuck

Inspiring Stories: Silas Stuck

Silas was born with a rare chromosome deletion.  It is so rare that it doesn’t have a name, it is called 2p 12-11.3 deletion syndrome and there is a gene in this deletion that causes spastic paraplegia.  He walked late and is still learning to talk.  Due to his father...
Inspiring Stories: Kay Ashton

Inspiring Stories: Kay Ashton

Kay Ashton lives with neurofibromas (NF) – a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow on the nerve endings.  The NF led to scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and now as a result of these two conditions, Kay has foot drop.  She also happens to have fallen arches...
Inspiring Stories: Lilly Markusch

Inspiring Stories: Lilly Markusch

Lilly Markusch was 19 years old, a Division I college athlete at the University of Nebraska on a cross country and track scholarship. Her entire life was running and competing at one of the highest levels in college athletics. Then a freak accident changed her world...
Inspiring Stories: Julie Stone

Inspiring Stories: Julie Stone

Tripping over everything, leg weakness, and losing balance were all things that Julie Stone spent a lifetime experiencing.  In order to manage, she would wear a lot of high-top shoes and even wrap her feet in order to keep her ankle up.  But those short-term solutions...
Inspiring Stories: Kyla

Inspiring Stories: Kyla

Kyla has been a toe walker since she began walking.  Her parents have always kept a close eye on it since her dad is still a toe walker as an adult.  They would stretch her achilles tendons, as they were getting tight, and encourage Kyla to walk on her heels. ...
Inspiring Stories: Dr. Matthew Mbanga

Inspiring Stories: Dr. Matthew Mbanga

As a high schooler, Dr. Matthew Mbanga, a native of Zimbabwe, competed in international tournaments in both rugby and waterpolo, earning him Sportsman of the Year at an elite all-boy’s private high school in Harare, Zimbabwe. From there, he captained a university...