When Liam needed a series of corrective casts, his mom turned each fitting into a positive experience by creating fantastical costumes, transforming him into his favorite superheroes – and capturing the magic on camera.
A curve was discovered in Liam’s spine when he was just 6 months old. His physician concluded that it was nothing to worry about, which seemed like good news to Liam's family at the time. But later, 2-year-old Liam underwent another round of X-rays, which revealed the undeniable curve had increased to 30 degrees. He was officially diagnosed with early onset scoliosis, which his physicians believe is linked to a condition Liam was born with called congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
After Liam was diagnosed with scoliosis, his family was referred to a specialist in the Seattle area, where they live. The physician explained that they would like to wait until the curve progressed to 35 degrees before beginning any treatment and that Liam's condition would eventually require surgery. Liam’s mom, Sarah, was troubled by the recommendation to wait until the condition worsened instead of addressing it promptly.
“It was all very new to us at the time. We went home feeling like we were just waiting for the inevitable [surgery],” said Sarah. “It seemed unsettling not to try and act on it now.”
A friend recommended that she seek a second opinion from Shriners Children's Portland. There, pediatric orthopedic physician Joseph I. Krajbich, M.D., evaluated Liam's spine and recommended the Mehta-Cotrel casting method, which requires Liam to wear a series of corrective casts as he grows. Six-year-old Liam began receiving personalized treatment for early-onset scoliosis at Shriners Children's Portland when he was 2 years old.
Sarah worried that her son's medical condition would weigh on his happy-go-lucky demeanor, so she found a creative way for Liam to embrace his treatment – by turning his casts into elaborate costumes and staging amazing photo shoots.
From wielding his hammer to summoning lightning as Thor to defending the citizens of Gotham City as Batman, Liam has transformed into some of the most super of superheroes and characters, including Superman, Spider-Man, Buzz Lightyear, Captain America, Hiccup and even Seattle Seahawks superstar Russell Wilson – whom Liam got to meet. In his most recent photoshoot, Liam bravely channels The Force as the famous Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi.
