From Desperation to Determination

Six-year-old Natalie has a spark that lights up any room.

She’s feisty, determined and full of life – qualities that have helped her navigate a rare and challenging condition known as bilateral proximal femoral focal deficiency, a diagnosis that affects only one in 50,000 children.

Born prematurely at just 31 weeks, Natalie’s arrival was a whirlwind for her parents. Hanna and her husband did not know about her condition throughout the pregnancy. “When Natalie was born, it was a shock to everyone,” Hanna said. “We had no explanation, no clue, no help. No one knew what was going on.”

Despite the uncertainty, the hospital staff directed the family to Shriners Children’s Shreveport, where they found the answers and support they desperately needed. “Shriners [Children's] was our starting point." Hanna said. "They made us feel at ease and prepared us for what was ahead.”

Natalie faced numerous medical hurdles in her early years. She was born with clubfoot, which was corrected through braces and a procedure to clip her Achilles tendon. By the time she was 3, Natalie began moving around independently by scooting. Although she found this movement comfortable, it ultimately led to complications. “Over time, her tibia and fibula fused together, and she never developed kneecaps,” Hanna said.

To address her unique needs, Natalie began seeing pediatric orthopedic surgeon Patrick Powell, M.D., at Shriners Children's Shreveport. When she was 5, she underwent a life-changing osteotomy, where her bones were carefully realigned and secured with an external fixator. “It was a scary process because we didn’t know anyone whose child had gone through this," Hanna said. "But the staff answered every question and made sure we felt prepared.”