However, through the individualized care she received at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, she will be back competing and winning races in no time.
It all started in gym class when Aubree was playing volleyball. During class, she dislocated her elbow and, as a result, had to attend physical therapy. The pain subsided temporarily, but she then experienced excruciating, lingering nerve pain.
She attended more physical therapy and had to wear a brace on her arm. After a few weeks, Aubree was told there was nothing else that could be done to fix her elbow pain, so she was allowed to go back to her normal activities.
A few months later, while Aubree was racing in her car, her arm suddenly went numb, her fingers began tingling, and she was in a lot of pain, a feeling she remembered all too well. It was determined that the way her arm moved to turn the steering wheel reinvigorated the stagnant nerve pain. Aubree and her family knew that after this incident, it was time to seek care at a new facility for an additional medical opinion and treatment.
After researching multiple hospitals in the Philadelphia area, they were able to get the earliest appointment at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. They called on a Monday and were seen by one of our physicians on Friday.
Aubree and her medical team decided that nerve surgery was the best way to improve the pain in her arm. Aubree’s physician at Shriners Children’s is Eugene Park, M.D. Dr. Park said of Aubree, “I could tell right away that she had a strong fighting spirit about her. And her family always showed up together to support her. We wanted to do everything we could to get her back to doing the things that she loved.”
With regard to Dr. Park, Aubree’s father, Tim, said, “He was awesome! He looked at her jammed finger that happened to be an unrelated injury as well. He took the time to explain it to her even though it was completely unrelated to her elbow injury.” Tim also said the entire Shriners Children’s staff, including nurses, desk attendants and other employees were incredibly welcoming and made them feel comfortable and deserving to be there.
I could tell right away that she had a strong fighting spirit about her.
In addition, Tim explained that the nurses were awesome, laughing with Aubree before and after surgery, and easing her anxiety about the current situation. As a gesture of thanks, Aubree brought a racing photo of herself, signed it and gave it to her inpatient nurses.
Aubree has many hobbies, but her main passion is micro sprint car driving, making proper treatment for her arm especially important. Born into a racing family – her father repairs cars and her uncle competes – she started racing at 7 and has since won numerous competitions, including NASCAR Youth. Now the top female youth racer in the country, she also won the Fab 4 Championship. Fearless against competitors of all ages, Aubree has raced nationwide and plans to return once fully healed from surgery.
We know Aubree will soon regain proper elbow mobility, allowing her to complete tasks without pain. She is currently resting her arm so she can fully heal and not exacerbate her injury. She will be back to winning championships soon, and we can’t wait to see Aubree accomplish her dream of racing in the World of Outlaw competition one day.
Aubree stands on the red carpet at a racing event.
Aubree sits on top of her micro sprint car.
Aubree gives a thumbs up in her pink cast and sling following surgery.
Aubree enjoys a snack on top of her car following a race.
Dr. Park holds up a signed photo that Aubree gave him as a token of thanks.
