Miracle Limbs was recently asked to assist the Decker family, victims of the horrific
tornados that hit Henryville, Indiana in March 2012.
Mother of two children, Stephanie Decker lost both legs when she threw herself over her children in the basement as a tornado
completely decimated their home.
Miracle Limbs flew up to Indiana from Florida to assist Stephanie and her family as she adapts to her new reality.
Stephanie is doing incredibly well. She is already
shrinking on the BK side and will be getting a socket
change probably in a week or two (all within
expectations). She had the graft surgery on the AK (Above
Knee) side about two weeks ago. Dr. Smith says that so far
it is healing great.
Jamarion is a
cheerful and gregarious little 6 year old who lost both arms at the age of 8 months. His insurance would only pay for hooks on each
arm and Jamarion chose not to wear them, learning to write with his feet instead.
Miracle Limbs raised funds for him to have one myoelectric arm and one passive arm. See
the video of him learning to use the
fingers on his new prosthetic arm.
Corey Kent was born on 7/28/88 and raised in Cape Coral, Florida. A gifted student, he graduated from Mariner High School in
2006 with honors. Corey completed one year of college at University of Central Florida in Orlando.
After joining the army and completing basic training, Corey was deployed to Afghanistan. After only three weeks in
Afghanistan, on July 12, 2010 at the age of 21, he was critically injured while on foot patrol. He lost both his legs and
all the fingers on his left hand, due to an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion. After being transferred to two
mash units in Afghanistan, Corey was transferred to Germany and then to Washington D.C. To the Walter Reed Army Medical
Center.
Corey was awarded the Purple Heart and a combat action badge. He was still on a ventilator when he turned 22 years of age.
He was moved from the surgery ICU unit on Friday, August 13th to ward 57 which is the amputee ward.
Corey faces several more surgeries as well as some extensive skin grafting. He is truly a hero to all of us.
Corey's mother, Tiffany and his stepfather Dan Ashby have been by Corey's side 24/7 since arriving at WRAMC. His younger
sister, Cassie, had traveled to Germany and then to Washington D.C. With her mother and Dan and has since returned to Cape
Coral.
Louisa. On January of 2001, Louisa was the victim of a horrific automobile accident, which resulted with
the amputation of her left leg above the knee as well as 3 toes on her right foot.
By no fault of her own Louisa was unable to work or drive.
With no funds to see a prosthetist or physical therapist,
she was confined to a wheel chair and dependent on others to assist her with various household chores as well as providing her
with rides.
In 2009 Miracle Limbs-Courage in Motion was contacted by a friend from her church asking for assistance. Following the call,
Miracle Limbs-Courage in Motion proceeded with peer visitations at her home, followed by making arrangements for
fittings for a prosthetic leg as well as physical therapy.
Today, Louisa is well on her way to returning to work as well being more independent with her everyday activities.
Marco. On
October 24,1994, the car Marco was driving stalled. He had his wife steer the car while he
pushed the vehicle onto the shoulder of the road. In the blink of an eye Marco was hit by an oncoming car.
Marco's right
leg was mostly totally severed above the knee.
Marco's left leg had broken bones, and he
suffered damage to his lower
spine and neck, along with facial damage which required plastic surgery. His liver was damaged. Marco was rushed to
the hospital where his right leg was amputated above the knee, as well as surgeries to repair other damage.
Marco was not able
to continue working at his screen printing shop, as he was confined to a wheel chair.
He did not have the financial means pay
for an artificial limb along with the necessary rehabilitation. In 2009 Marco's doctor contacted Miracle Limbs-Courage in
Motion, who immediately met with Marco at his home.
Miracle Limbs followed up by making arrangements with a prosthetist
to fit a
prosthetic leg and obtain physical therapy.
Today Marco is back working at his printing shop and is able to provide for his family.
He returned to bicycling and is getting back in shape physically, mentally and spiritually.
Cheryl, a double below-the-knee amputee as of
July 2009, had amputation surgery, including the loss of two fingers, at NCH. Cheryl is still healing and has had complications with pneumonia.
Cheryl will need financial assistance in some areas and Miracle Limbs-Courage in Motion will stay with her and her husband until she can raise her arms in in victory. They have both had a very difficult adjustment period and keep in constant communication with us.
Thomas, a double below the knee amputee, is diabetic and had one leg amputated several years ago.
Recently he had the other leg amputated. He is in good spirits, but
is unsure as to his medical coverage.
It is our goal to assist Thomas as he controls his diabetes and provide financial aid for two prosthetics if not covered.
Three
year old Itzel was
diagnosed with Myofibromatosis, a rare type of tumor on her left
arm. Many treatments such as chemotherapy were performed on Itzel
to no avail. In order to save her life, the heart breaking
decision was made to amputate her arm above the elbow.
Now Itzel is progressing although she has a
lot of work ahead of her learning to use a prosthetic arm.
Thank you Bob!!
Stephen, a below-the-knee amputee,
had his leg amputated 1 year ago. He has not been
able to return to work because he does not have
insurance and cannot afford a prosthetic limb, rehabilitation, or physical therapy follow-up. Miracle-Limbs-Courage in Motion is paying for a limb as well as physical therapy and peer visitations. We are also arranging transportation for him as he has no access to transportation for visits to the
prosthetist. He will be able to return to work shortly with his partner in the boat refurbishing business.
Three
year old Itzel was
diagnosed with Myofibromatosis, a rare type of tumor on her left
arm. Many treatments such as chemotherapy were performed on Itzel
to no avail. In order to save her life, the heart breaking
decision was made to amputate her arm above the elbow.