Prenatal Education Program Offers Early Intervention

“It was a pretty devastating moment.”

During a scan 20 weeks into her pregnancy, parents Amanda and Dan were given news that left them frightened and overwhelmed. Their first child – a little girl to be named Lydia – was missing the radial bone in her left arm, and the development of the bones in her appending hand were an uncertainty.

“I wish more doctors knew to tell people to go [to Shriners Children’s] when they are given news like this,” Amanda said. “You feel so alone, and it seems no one can tell you what’s going on. But we were lucky that we had already heard about Shriners Children’s from a friend.”

Still unaware that Shriners Children's Greenville had a program specifically designed for parents like them, Amanda called. She hoped to speak with a specialist about Lydia’s condition before they arrived.

“We were scheduled for an outpatient clinic appointment with one of the surgeons,” she said. Amanda, who was still processing the news, was relieved that the Prenatal Orthopedic Educational Session immediately left Dan feeling much better – a feeling she would also gain soon. “There were so many ‘what-ifs’ that we couldn’t know yet, but now we were more informed. We knew we would get the support we needed, and we were grateful that Shriners Children’s was close to home.”

Additionally, Amanda said the information and knowledge provided to the couple in the Prenatal Orthopedic Educational Session gave them the power to better advocate for Lydia.

Diagnosed with radial dysplasia, Lydia returned with her parents to the hospital soon after she was born. An early intervention care plan was created, giving her a head start at a chance for the best long-term results. A visit to the Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services department gave Lydia a custom brace created to fit her specifics needs. As she grows and her needs change, so will her brace.

“Even as a tiny infant, she was so happy and smiley. Now she is very curious, and she loves to laugh – she makes us laugh every day. She is fierce and has been resilient throughout her life.”

The mission of the care team at Shriners Children’s Greenville means they will be able to continue to provide life-changing care for Lydia through childhood, adolescence and her teen years.