While it marks the end of one chapter, it also celebrates the beginning of a new one filled with independence and possibility. For Christian, that milestone arrived in the spring of 2025, closing a chapter that had shaped much of his early life and set the foundation for his future success.
Christian became a patient at Shriners Children’s Erie shortly after his birth. He was born with his left arm much shorter than his right and containing only one digit on that hand. He began receiving occupational therapy before he could even crawl and underwent several limb-lengthening surgeries throughout the years.
As he grew, he developed different interests and hobbies, which led him to visit the Shriners Children’s Erie Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services team. Christian wanted to explore how prosthetics could help him improve his tennis game. After working with Alex Betancourt, MS, MBO, CPO, and Emily Madder, BS, MOT, OTR/L, in occupational therapy, they created a device that allows him to toss the ball with his left arm and hit it with his right, giving him more power and control over his serve. Additionally, after serving as a Standard Bearer at the Shriners Children’s Open in 2022, Christian developed an interest in golf. When he expressed this to his care team, Betancourt created a device that would allow him greater control over his golf swing.
Because of Christian’s active lifestyle and love of sports, he was a natural fit for Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City Camp Un-Limb-ited. Designed for teen patients living with limb loss or limb differences, Camp Un-Limb-ited offers a unique opportunity to build confidence and connect with others who share similar experiences. Campers participate in adaptive activities such as skiing, snowboarding, white-water rafting and wilderness camping in Utah. Through these experiences, teens learn to better understand and use their prostheses while gaining independence. The camp also provides space for meaningful conversations and support, helping participants navigate topics like recreation, relationships, body image, bullying and self-esteem, all while developing skills that will carry into their future.
It was during the white-water rafting camp in Utah in July 2023 that Christian met Lucas from Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City. The two quickly formed a strong bond and spent much of the trip together.
We spent a lot of time together during the rafting trip. We understand each other's unique challenges that we experience every day.
Their friendship reflects exactly what Camp Un-Limb-ited is meant to create: meaningful connections between teens who share similar experiences. Even after the camp ended, Christian and Lucas stayed in touch. They reunited a few months later at the skiing and snowboarding trip in February 2024, where they continued to build on the friendship they first formed at summer camp.
After years of care at Shriners Children’s Erie and unforgettable experiences at camp, it was time for a new chapter. Christian graduated from high school and took the next big step in his journey by choosing to attend Penn State University. Moving from Erie, Pennsylvania, to a large campus filled with thousands of new faces and unfamiliar surroundings was a big change from the close-knit community he had always known. Christian realized he would have one familiar connection waiting for him at Penn State. Lucas, his friend from Camp Un-Limb-ited, had announced on social media that he would be attending Penn State.
“When I saw Lucas committed as an adaptive athlete, I messaged him right away,” Christian said. Soon after, the two decided to become roommates and take on Penn State together. “We’ve gotten to know each other a lot better. Living in a dorm with someone is a lot different than living in a tent with them, and our friendship has grown as we’ve navigated that together.”
Today, Christian and Lucas continue to build on the friendship that first started at Camp Un-Limb-ited. Christian is pursuing a degree in finance and accounting, while Lucas is studying kinesiology, each working toward their own goals while supporting one another along the way. Their bond has grown beyond their shared experiences, rooted in both friendship and everyday life. When asked about new shared interests since starting college, Christian said, “We both like football, playing poker, playing video games and watching movies. We have a lot of shared friends.”
What began as a connection at camp has become a lasting friendship, showing how the relationships formed through Shriners Children’s can continue to shape and support patients long after they leave care.
Christian and Lucas bond over rafting.
