For the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open, Shriners Children’s Florida’s standard bearer representative will be trading in his baseball cleats for a scoring standard.
Zavi, 15, is a dedicated athlete who has been playing baseball since the age of 4. From the early days of T-ball to now competing on his AAA travel team, the teenager has played several positions including shortstop, second base and pitcher. Regardless of where you find him on the baseball diamond, what remains consistent is Zavi’s commitment to being the best he can be.
In a few short weeks, onlookers will watch as Zavi gets the chance to take a swing at a new sport – from the sidelines, that is. He will be joining fellow Patient Ambassadors out on the greens of TPC Summerlin for the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open – the third event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup this fall.
Each year, patients from Shriners Children’s locations are chosen to represent the healthcare system during the tournament. Zavi is thrilled to represent Shriners Children’s Florida and to highlight the care he has received. Most importantly, though, he hopes to inspire other amputees.
Remember – you don’t have a disability, you have a different ability. You’re just like everybody else.
Zavi was born with fibular hemimelia, a rare condition in which part or all of a leg’s fibular bone is missing. He became a patient of Shriners Children’s when he was 8 months old, and has grown up wearing prosthetic legs customized for him by Shriners Children’s Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS).
Zavi has been an active participant in the Patient Ambassador program since he was a toddler, representing care services in marketing materials, commercials and fundraisers, and now at one of Shriners Children's signature sporting events.
Shriners Children’s Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services designs, fits and manufactures orthotics and prosthetics for children, from infants to teenagers to young adults. These devices – including shoe inserts, braces, and artificial limbs (both arms and legs) – provide the support children need to meet their full potential and pursue their dreams. For more information on POPS and how to schedule an appointment, please call 855-571-1996 today.
This Patient Ambassador proves having a limb difference makes no difference at all!
Zavi in action, playing second base during a game in the summer of 2021.
In the summer of 2022, Zavi (sitting on ballpark sign) made history as the first player with a prosthesis to compete with his teammates in Cooperstown, New York.
Zavi proudly poses alongside each of his prosthetic legs, customized by the teams in the POPS department.
Zavi talks about his care journey at last year’s Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational press conference.
Zavi walks in his newest leg at the freestanding POPS facility in Tampa.
An up-close look at Zavi’s new leg, customized for him by the team in POPS.
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