Meet the AmazeKids

Aubrey, an accomplished dancer and inspiring artist, was born missing her forearms due to a bilateral below-elbow congenital deficiency. Despite her limb difference and opting not to use prosthetics for a few years, Aubrey remained an active child, excelling in martial arts, competitive dance, choir, gymnastics and art. 

“I just always figured out how to do whatever I wanted,” said Aubrey. “My parents were worried I wouldn’t be able to do things, but with practice, I’ve proven that I can.”

Aubrey is the first recipient of a myoelectric arm at Shriners Children's Lexington. Controlled with the natural electrical signals generated by Aubrey’s muscles, sensors in the artificial limb detect muscle movements, making the arm intuitive for the wearer.

“When I was pregnant, I knew that she was going to be born missing her lower arms. I immediately called Shriners Children’s because I was desperate for some reassurance, and they have been there for us every step of the way,” said Jennifer, Aubrey’s mom.

Clara aspires to be a doctor with the hope of helping others, inspired by the care she’s received at Shriners Children’s. Diagnosed with infantile scoliosis, Clara has received treatments including wearing over 14 different Mehta casts in her young life. She now wears a thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis brace 23 hours a day, but that doesn’t slow down this bubbly, fun, active, and most of all, animal-loving kiddo. 
  
Clara was treated at Shriners Children's Lexington for a 50-degree curve of the spine with the goal to reach 10 degrees or less with casting or bracing, and surgery as a possibility in her future. 

“Shriners has always been great to us. The staff is so nice, and the nurses do a great job of making her feel comfortable and making us feel comfortable. And Dr. Talwalkar has been a huge blessing in Clara’s journey. It’s nice to know that she’s getting the exceptional care she needs. They do everything they can to give you the best care and to help you financially as much as they can. For a child with medical issues, that’s huge for a parent,” said Kayla, Clara’s mom. 

Parker is an all-around athlete, but his love for basketball is next-level. Set to graduate with both his high school diploma and an associate’s degree, Parker is looking to major in journalism or an orthopedic profession in college. 

When he was 10, Parker endured a family car accident that resulted in the amputation of his lower leg. This led him to Shriners Children’s Greenville, where the Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) department became a lifeline back to the athletic world. 

“One word Parker won’t use is ‘disabled’ because he doesn’t have a disability – there is nothing stopping him, and I think Shriners Children’s is the best,” said Sharonda, Parker’s mom.

Parker wears one prosthetic that works for playing sports and for everyday use. To keep up with the still-growing teen who plays AAU basketball, Parker now returns to his POPS friends at Shriners Children’s Greenville near his home in Raleigh, North Carolina, every six months.

“I know now it all happened for a reason. It has worked to my benefit and made me cherish my abilities so much more,” said Parker. 

Liam is a competitive wheelchair basketball player born with myelomeningocele, a serious form of spina bifida where the spinal column does not develop and close. As a result, Liam doesn’t have feeling in his legs from the knee down. Although he can walk with crutches, it takes significant effort, leaving him heavily reliant on his upper body strength.

Liam’s recent interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a natural fit, given practitioners of this art focus on the movements called “ground-rolling,” working to successfully overtake an opponent through learned tactics. Liam’s goal? To become stronger and more experienced in fighting.

“The wheelchair doesn’t define you. Your circumstance doesn’t define you,” said Liam’s dad, Rob.

The team at Shriners Children’s St. Louis has treated Liam from an early age with ankle foot orthotics to keep his feet straight and strong, a major hip surgery which allowed a greater possibility of being able to straighten his leg, and ongoing physical therapy. 

Gloria, an aspiring author, was 6 when she sustained a severe burn accident during the Christmas holiday at her family home. Now 15, Gloria spends time at Camp David, hosted by the Texas Burn Society in Kerrville, Texas, where she shares her story and helps inspire other burn survivors.

After the accident, Gloria remained in intensive care for a month, receiving treatment for burns on nearly 50% of her body, including her left arm, stomach and legs. She has had multiple skin graft surgeries and periodically returns to Shriners Children's for physical therapy and reconstructive care.

Inspired by her family’s experience during her care at Shriners Children’s, Gloria started a Christmas donation drive while she was still in elementary school for families receiving care at Shriners Children's Texas. Over the years, she has shared her story with classmates and teachers, and has collected stuffed animals, books, toys and toiletries to donate to the Texas facility. Gloria and her family personally drop these items off at the hospital each year.