With an adult’s maturity and a still-childlike curiosity, 17-year-old Draven speaks about his journey of pain and resilience with poise.
“The doctor noticed that his left femur was shorter than expected during an ultrasound,” said Samantha, Draven’s mom. When he was 4 months old, the family decided they needed to help Draven get medical care. With a member of Shriners International – the fraternity that founded and continues to support Shriners Children's – in the family, Draven’s parents knew where to go. That decision would change the rest of his childhood and his future.
From Arizona, Draven’s family drove to Los Angeles where his journey with Shriners Children’s began. When he received his first X-ray, our team of doctors were able to diagnose him with proximal femoral deficiency (PFFD).
PFFD is a rare and complex birth defect in which the upper part of the femur is either malformed or missing, resulting in one leg being shorter than the other. This difference can affect a child’s ability to walk and put stress on other bones and joints as the body tries to compensate. In Draven’s case, he was born with a short left femur.
Growing up, Draven didn’t feel different – he walked, played and lived his life like all the other kids. Others might have noticed a difference in his walk, but it never bothered him. “This is just how it is,” he remembers thinking. It wasn’t until he got older that he began to feel anxious about his surgeries. The waiting and the anticipation felt like forever, especially because he was old enough to understand.
When he was 10, Draven underwent his first surgery, a growth and lengthening procedure. Over the years, his journey included multiple surgeries, such as additional lengthening procedures, hardware removal and growth plate interventions. Throughout it all, Draven never let his condition define him.
I hated hearing ‘you can’t do this’ or ‘you can't do that.' Don’t underestimate me.
The hardest chapter came between ages 10 and 12, when Draven was faced with complications that left him unable to walk for nearly two tears. Losing his independence was devastating – he relied on a wheelchair, lost motion in his leg and experienced anger and frustration he had never known. Yet his determination to walk again pushed him to his limits.
After two years that felt like forever, Draven regained his mobility and began walking again – and experience that changed everything. He gained a deep understanding of how much people take mobility for granted and developed empathy for those who could not walk. It was the most difficult time for Draven, and it reshaped the way he viewed life.
Over the years, the care team at Shriners Children’s built a strong bond with Draven, getting to truly know him. “The biggest difference was the way his doctors cared for him and his comfort,” said Samantha. “His care team explained every step of the process, answered questions and encouraged his curiosity. Dr. Poon made sure to keep Draven informed not just about what was happening, but she thoughtfully explained why. Her transparency built a bond of trust and confidence during some of the most intimidating moments of his life.”
“Draven and his family have shown amazing resilience over time dealing with this difficult issue,” orthopedic surgeon Selina Poon, M.D., said.
Today, Draven is strong, motivated and looking forward to his future. Inspired by his journey, he is interested in becoming a doctor so he can help kids in the same position he once was in.
Draven moves during a physical therapy session at Shriners Children's Southern California.
Draven and his mother, Samantha, meet with anesthesiologist Fredrick Bushnell, M.D.
