Hazel loves riding her tricycle, but because she was born with her left arm missing below the elbow, she needs extra support to balance and steady herself, since she has to lean far to reach the left handlebar. To help her achieve her dream of riding on two wheels, she visited Shriners Children’s Philadelphia.
When Patty was pregnant with Hazel, she was told that Hazel would be born missing the lower half of her left arm and her left hand. At the 20-week anatomy scan, the medical team performed an amniocentesis to determine whether the limb difference was genetic, as a genetic cause could indicate other complications. Fortunately, it was not genetic and was most likely the result of a blood flow issue. The team believed that in utero, Hazel prioritized blood flow to her vital organs to survive, rather than to her arm. There was also no evidence of banding, ruling out amniotic band syndrome.
Hazel and her family call her left arm her “nubbie,” and she has never felt the need for a prosthetic. She has adapted to do everything she wants, including playing, riding a scooter and building robots out of macaroni boxes. Her mother, Patty, said, “She adapts beautifully to everything."
Hazel looks at the first stages of the bike-riding prosthetic on her arm.
Hazel admires her new prosthetic.
Hazel and her brother Isaac wear superhero capes and smile for a photo with Luis, a POPS practitioner.
Hazel holds a toy she picked out after her appointment.
She adapts beautifully to everything.
Patty knew of the prosthetic options at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia through the Lucky Fin Project, a “nonprofit organization that exists to raise awareness and celebrate children, individuals and families affected by limb differences.” She met other families with children who had received prosthetics through Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, so she knew it was the perfect place for Hazel to achieve her goal of riding a bicycle. Hazel sees Richard Goldberg, D.O., a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, for checkups and visits Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) for her prosthetic care.
Shriners Children’s offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to caring for children with congenital limb differences or amputations through our dedicated limb clinic. During a limb clinic appointment, the team evaluates each child to develop an individualized treatment plan focused on achieving goals for daily activities and recreational pursuits. The physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians lead the evaluation, aiming to optimize function and improve quality of life. Recommendations may be made for surgery, prosthetics or therapy.
Patty and Hazel came to POPS to get a prosthetic made specifically for bike riding. The prosthetic has an attachment that grips the bike’s handle, helping Hazel sit upright in a more natural position and allowing for better balance. Hazel picked out her prosthetic’s pattern – pink with unicorns.
Calli Clark, director of pediatric orthotic and prosthetic services at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, said, “Participation in youth sports has been shown to improve psychological and emotional well-being for children with disabilities. That’s why we wholeheartedly support patients like Hazel choosing an activity-specific prosthesis. In fact, the bike riding terminal device is the most common activity-specific device requested by our patients!”
Patty said of Hazel’s care at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia: “It's been great! Dr. Goldberg walked [us] over [to POPS] from our appointment with him. The handoff between appointments is nice. Also, the process of making our initial appointment and getting in was very simple and quick. I’m really happy with the care so far!” In the near future, Hazel will be riding her two-wheeler with pride, and the team at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia couldn't be happier for her.
