The Girl with the Rainbow Legs

Three-year-old Adalee from Victoria, Texas, has a smile that can light up any room.

She is talkative, energetic and always ready for her next adventure. Behind her bubbly personality is a remarkable story of resilience.

Adalee was born with bilateral fibular hemimelia, a rare condition where the fibula bone in each leg is either missing or underdeveloped. One of her feet was a congenital amputation, and the other was not formed well enough to support bracing.

When Adalee’s previous doctor left another children’s hospital, her family struggled to find timely care. Shriners Children’s Texas staff was able to see her right away, giving her the support she needed without delay. Adalee’s family was very impressed with her new doctor, pediatric orthopedic surgeon Cody Sanderson, M.D.

“Fibular hemimelia is rare, and having it in both legs is even more uncommon,” said Dr. Sanderson. “We considered reconstructive surgery, but in Adalee’s case, it would have meant multiple operations and long recoveries. The family ultimately chose amputation and prosthetics, and they are very happy with that decision.”

That choice gave Adalee something every child deserves: the ability to move freely and live without limits.

“Now she is in bilateral prosthetics, running around and being a kid,” Dr. Sanderson said. “Instead of spending time in the hospital, she is out there playing, going to school and dressing up for Halloween. Less pain, more mobility and an excellent prognosis.”

Adalee’s prosthetist, Anna from the Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services department, recently fitted her for a new pair of rainbow-colored prosthetic legs. When Adalee first walked in them, she was ready to conquer the world one colorful step at a time.

“Adalee is an incredibly resilient little girl who has faced all of life’s challenges head on,” said Anna. “Her new prostheses will allow her to safely walk, run and play alongside her peers. My hope is that they help foster her confidence and independence as she grows.”

After receiving her prosthetics that morning, Adalee could not wait to show them off to Dr. Sanderson at her afternoon clinic appointment. The two walked hand in hand down the hallway while Adalee chatted excitedly with her doctor. Due to her condition, Adalee had never been able to wear shoes on both feet. Now, that has all changed.

“I’m ready to go play at the park!” she said.

Her grandmother, Karen, says she is not surprised by how much progress Adalee has already made.

“Adalee is a determined little girl, and I think she will be unstoppable,” Karen said. “It brings us great joy that Shriners Children’s Texas has been willing to help us. The whole team has been wonderful. Adalee loves Dr. Sanderson.”

The active 3-year-old enjoys painting, swimming, going to the beach and playing with her stepbrother. This Halloween, she even plans to dress up as Elsa from the movie Frozen. Adalee will return to Shriners Children’s Texas every six months to get new legs as she grows, and her care team is looking forward to watching her blossom with confidence and independence.