And the winner is!!

And the winner is!!

Rhonda

7/22/2005

Hi List, and thank you to all who responded to my request for help in
donating my used braces! I was overwhelmed with the response! I will be
sending them to ROMP since so many people recommended David Krupa's
worthwhile project. David, if you will send me an address, I'll mail them
as soon as I can find someone to lug the large box to the post office.

Perhaps more than the response to my request, I was incredibly touched by
the sincere good wishes that the list sent to me regarding my successful
surgeries. Several people asked for particulars, so I thought I'd fire off
an email with the details.

I have a relatively mild form of osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone
disease), and fractured femurs and hips about a dozen times until age
13...no fractures since then!! I also have scoliosis, so I have a complete
spinal fusion, except for my neck. All went very well, and I enjoyed a
fabulous ten years as a fifth-grade teacher, until my knee started bothering
me and eventually turned into a 55-degree valgus deformity...yikes. It
caused me no pain, but it was a CHORE to walk. I explained to many doctors
that it would be like them trying to walk on their hands...they could do it,
but it took a ridiculous amount of energy, effort and concentration.

I searched the globe for a doctor who could help me, but everyone wanted to
amputate. I would have done that, if I thought it was the only answer, but
I was convinced that I just hadn't stumbled upon the right surgeon. I wrote
an open letter to surgeons across the country and heard back from one. He
has an ego like you wouldn't believe, but I guess that's what you want, if
someone's going to start hacking on you :) He traveled around for six
months consulting with other surgeons and they finally came up with a
first-of-its-kind solution. The best way to explain it, is that it's a knee
replacement, but it goes from my hip to my toes. They removed my knee,
ankle and parts of my foot and three surgeries later, voila! They wouldn't
let me stand up for 27 months, but the result was spectacular! I have
perfect function and zero pain...it's a thing of beauty, and I was able to
stop wearing the leg braces for the first time in many years.

The only down side is that we were all so focused on my leg, that everyone
forgot about my back. The new and improved gait really wreaked havoc on my
lower back and fusion, so that has brought new limitations. But overall, it
was a fantastic experience and I love my masterpiece of a leg :)

Thanks again for your support and for all you do. I've loved y'all since I
was a kid...there's nothing like the Brace Guy (as we used to call them)
who listens and isn't satisfied until that irritating squeak is taken care
of; the place that pinches is smooth; and the color matches the skin a
little better. These are gi-hugic things to a child.

Sincerely,
Rhonda Gentry
<Email Address Redacted>