Now 32 years old, nothing holds Brock back. “That’s a testament to the treatment and care that I received at Shriners Hospital,” he said.
However, when he was little, his hips posed a serious concern. Brock began experiencing excruciating pain when he was 2 years old. “Your mind just starts racing. What does he have?” said his dad, Tony.
It wasn’t until he was 5 that the culprit was finally revealed. Brock had bilateral Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. This childhood bone disorder is caused by disrupted blood flow to the top of the thigh bone. When the blood supply is temporarily disrupted, it causes the bone to weaken, collapse and eventually regenerate over time.
While it typically only affects one hip, Brock is in the roughly 10% of children who experience the condition in both hips. It causes pain and greatly impacts mobility.
When his family sought a second opinion, it ultimately led them to Shriners Children’s St. Louis. A visit with Perry Schoenecker, M.D., confirmed Brock’s diagnosis. Having worked on hundreds of similar cases, Dr. Schoenecker put Brock’s concerned parents at ease.
The care itself was above and beyond anything we could have ever imagine. The doctors are not looking at their watch. They explain everything to you.
Given Brock's physical exam findings and imaging studies, his personalized treatment plan entailed surgery, followed by more than three years of casts and braces to help his bones heal in a natural and rounded shape. This treatment ensured proper alignment of his hips.
He worked hard in physical therapy and remained dedicated to his treatment plan, which resulted in a great recovery. Reflecting on his care, Brock remains adamant that his physician at Shriners Children’s was, and still is, a pioneer in the field.
“I applaud him [Dr. Schoenecker] on being curious and trying to find another method of treatment,” said Brock.
On August 5, 2012, he graduated from care, visiting Shriners Children’s St. Louis for the last time. “I knew I was going to try to pay back [the hospital] somehow,” Brock said. In the spring of 2016, he followed in his father’s footsteps, joining Shriners International, the fraternity that founded and supports Shriners Children's.
“It’s not about me. At the end of the day, it’s about: 'What can I do to help somebody else?'” Brock said.
Sporting the fez is now a family affair. Brock’s brother recently joined the fraternity, and his dad is the current Potentate of Ansar Shriners. “It’s about making kids dreams come true, because we want every kid to have the same opportunities that Brock did,” Tony said.
The three are grateful for the common ground the fraternity provides. “Doing this together as a family is something that we’re all able to relate to,” Brock said.
When he’s not busy supporting his local chapter, Brock is a law enforcement officer and member of the SWAT team. “Chances are, had I not had this care, I probably would not be ambulatory like I am today,” said Brock.
“I am forever indebted to this organization because of what they’ve done for me.”
