Told his prosthetic leg could limit his activities, Colton consistently proved otherwise.
When Colton’s mom, Becky, was pregnant, the ultrasound showed that his legs were measuring different lengths and he had only four toes on his left foot. But it wasn’t until Colton was born that they learned he had fibular hemimelia – the absence of the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg – along with a shorter leg, bowed tibia, malformed ankle and missing toe.
His grandfather’s cousin, a Shriner, knew of Shriners Children’s expertise in orthopedic conditions and advised the family to seek care at Shriners Children’s St. Louis.
“We walked through those hospital doors and you could literally feel the warmth, the love and the caring before we even talked to anybody,” Becky said.
At Shriners Children’s St. Louis, orthopedic surgeon Perry Schoenecker, M.D., outlined two possible treatment paths. One involved a series of limb‑lengthening surgeries beginning around age 8 or 9, together with ankle reconstruction – a long process that can take 5 to 10 years. The other was amputation at the ankle and then fitting the baby for a prosthesis.
My favorite part of being an International Patient Ambassador is being able to share how special Shriners Children’s is. They’re not just doctors and nurses; they’re part of your family.
The family chose amputation and they have never regretted that decision. Colton had his first surgery when he was 1 and received his first prosthesis shortly after that. He is currently on his tenth prosthetic.
While his prosthetic makes him different from friends and classmates, Colton knows it also provides him opportunities. He is able to show that with diligence and a dream, anything is possible, no matter the hurdles. “I’m sticking out for a reason,” he said.
An accomplished student-athlete, Colton has competed in wrestling, baseball, basketball and track and currently participates in football and golf for his high school. He plays both offensive and defensive line for his high school football team and played in two high school state golf tournaments. Colton has been a Patient Ambassador at the Kansas Shrine Bowl many times, even serving as a manager for the West team since 2024. His goal is to return to the field – this time as a player in 2027.
Colton lives in a small Kansas town surrounded by miles of wide open wheat fields. He loves the freedom of rural life, where everything he needs – school, the coffee shop, the golf course, the football field – is close and familiar.
Whether raising and showing pigs as part of his youth agricultural project or tackling daily farm work alongside his grandpa, uncle and cousin, Colton is always up for the task.
Colton speaks about Shriners Children’s with deep affection and loyalty and is grateful for the opportunity to help others as he was helped.
