Larsen syndrome is a rare congenital disorder seen as early as infanthood and can be crippling if not treated.
A seven-year-old Texan girl who survived Larsen syndrome plans to give back to the hospital that gave her extensive free health care, and help out other kids going through the same ordeal she experienced, by raising money through a good old lemonade stand.
When little Addie Bryan of Rockwall was born, she had her legs all the way up to her head because her knees were turned backwards. She had a club foot and her hip was also displaced. At five days old, Addie received her first cast, which was just the first of about 60 to 70 casts.
The Larsen syndrome survivor Addie has undergone four surgeries as well.
With the little girl going through so much at such an early age, Addie's father Jeff Bryan said the best part about it was that the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas did everything they could to make it feel less like being in a hospital. He added that Scottish Rite takes care not only of the children, but the parents as well.
Julie Bryan, Addie's mother, recalled: "We didn't know if she would ever walk, if she would ever run—we didn't know any of that."
Now, at seven years old, Addie can walk, run and even play tee ball like any other normal kid. Even with knees that don't bend, Addie has accomplished a lot.
What's attracting much attention is how Addie wants to give back to the hospital that gave her extensive care, to help other kids with Larsen syndrome.
Addie and her friends put up a lemonade stand and initially raised $60. From there, they decided to put up signs, one of which she just holds up, saying: "For my birthday wish, I want to raise $8,000 for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital."
About a couple of weeks before her 8th birthday, Addie has been able to raise more than $15,000, almost double the amount she planned to donate.
Addie raises money for new casts and prosthetics to aid other kids with Larsen syndrome. However much more she makes will be donated to the hospital on her birthday on Aug. 16.
The rare disorder affects one in every 100,000 newborn babies. Addie's father emphasizes that there is always someone out there who might need help, and it's always a nice thing to be inspired and learn from a soon-to-be eight-year-old.
