Perfectly Made: Micah's Journey on His Own Terms

When Eloisa was pregnant with twin boys in 2017, an ultrasound revealed a concerning discrepancy: One baby wasn’t growing as expected.

She delivered her sons via emergency C-section. While his twin brother was okay, baby Micah was born at just 4 pounds and then his feet began to turn purple – a sign of a critical circulation issue.

The newborn was rushed to Stanford Children’s. There, doctors discovered a life-threatening blood clot in Micah’s aorta. They believed the clot had developed during pregnancy, disrupting the blood flow and nutrients needed for his legs to develop properly.

A month after his birth, the decision was made to amputate both of Micah’s legs below the knee to save his life. The surgery was a success, and he thrived as a happy baby afterward.

The Search for Specialized Pediatric Care

When Micah turned 1, the search for well-fitting prosthetics began.

For a few years, a Stanford specialist helped Micah walk. But when that doctor retired, the family worried about finding the same level of care. Their specialist encouraged them to look into Shriners Children’s Northern California, where the medical staff specialize in pediatric care. Coincidentally, a family friend from their church – also a twin and a double amputee – recommended Shriners Children’s.

“For us to have each other in our hometown was a godsend,” said Eloisa. “It’s so good to have someone to talk to about the things we’re going through because no one else really understands.”

A Collaborative Approach to Growth and Comfort

The family was initially anxious during their first visit to Shriners Children’s Northern California.

“We were vulnerable and emotional,” Eloisa said. “They were happy to see us and assured us they would work together to make sure Micah is as comfortable as possible.”

Micah found a home in the Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services clinic, where orthopedics and prosthetics work seamlessly together. Under the care of orthopedic surgeon Joel Lerman, M.D., and prosthetist Eric, the team monitors Micah’s rapid bone growth. As his femurs grow, they sometimes require surgical revision to ensure a comfortable fit for his prosthetics.

The family also experienced profound relief when they learned about the financial model at Shriners Children’s.

“We have CCS Medi-Cal, but when we switched to an HMO, we panicked because we thought we were locked into local providers,” said Eloisa. “They reassured us we would never receive a bill. I was amazed. How do more families not know about this? We tell everyone.”

Micah: A Thriving Boy

Now 8 years old, Micah is a remarkable child.

His mother describes him as mature and observant, yet incredibly goofy with a humor that lights up any room. He carries on conversations with a confidence that belies his age and has a passion for building with LEGO, solving chess puzzles and learning robotics.

Micah is also an active athlete. He practices jiu jitsu and wrestling, skills he enjoys because he can use his own body without prosthetics, which is a huge confidence-builder. He is also learning how to play golf in a wheelchair.

A significant turning point came when he was awarded running blades from the Challenged Athletes Foundation. “They just made him a different little guy,” Eloisa said. “He realized he can run and balance better, so he’s been very active. When he can, he plays baseball, soccer and tennis.”

Like any child, Micah faces challenges, especially when other children are curious or cruel about his differences. Eloisa and her husband encourage him by explaining that he was made perfectly to be a teacher. “We tell him he can educate people,” she said. “We’re all created with different abilities and different bodies, but we’re all perfectly made.”

And he does teach — articulately explaining his situation using the medical terms he’s learned from his care team.

Micah continues to impress everyone with his ability to keep up with his peers and his bright, positive outlook on life. He is a testament to the fact that with the right support, there are no limits.