Thanks to Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services at Shriners Children's Spokane, Gladys received a C-brace that has helped her pursue her passions.
She loves playing golf and trumpet in her school’s marching band. But for much of her life, moving with confidence has been challenging.
Born with spina bifida, she underwent spinal surgery in China that damaged nerves in her left leg, limiting her mobility. After being adopted when she was 7, her parents immediately took her to Shriners Children’s Spokane for care. Over the past decade, she has had several surgeries performed by orthopedic surgeon William Bronson, M.D., and has been fitted with several types of knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs).
Then two years ago, a new possibility emerged.
McKenzie Gunselman, CPO, and part of Shriners Children's Spokane's Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services team, learned of a new brace that could significantly improve Gladys’ mobility: a microprocessor-controlled KAFO, also known as a C-brace. The innovative brace responds in real time to her movement, providing greater stability, balance and confidence.
Gunselman was able to advocate with the family’s insurance to get the C-brace approved earlier this year. Gladys is now one of the first patients in the Shriners Children’s system to receive this advanced technology.
The results have been life-changing.
I am more confident, stable and getting stronger, and it has really improved my golf swing.
Controlled through an app on her phone, Gladys can easily adjust the brace to assist with sitting, standing and walking. Her mom, Ashley, said Gladys, who once fell frequently, now rarely falls. And she’s taking her newfound confidence onto the golf course. She can lock the knee in place for greater stability and control during her golf swing.
“Walking has been challenging; it’s still kind of challenging, but this brace helps me in so many ways,” said Gladys.
For Gladys, this new technology means she can participate in the activities she loves, pursue her passions, and build her confidence and independence.
Shriners Children’s remains committed to discovering innovative breakthroughs that provide specialized care to patients like Gladys. That merging of compassion and innovation helps ensure that each child reaches their fullest potential, regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance status.
