Kennedee

Amputation, Bowlegs, Growth Arrest, Sepsis Maryland Dr. Standard and Dr. Conway

Kennedee had a life-threatening sepsis infection when she was only seven months old, and the infection stopped blood flow to her limbs. Dr. Conway saved Kennedee’s life, but her extremities suffered severe tissue loss, and Kennedee had to have fingers, toes, and her lower arm amputated. Kennedee has had several complex reconstructive surgeries with Dr. Standard over the years. The surgical goals were to give her hand as much function as possible, to correct leg bone deformities, and to lengthen her legs due to growth arrests. Her latest surgery is a leg lengthening with external fixators that also is helping address bowing in her legs.

Kennedee has never let any of this hold her back from doing anything she puts her mind to doing! In addition to taking ballet, tap, and modern dance, she loves playing soccer. Her mom, Kimberlee, says one thing she is most proud of is that she is seen as a leader by her peers. Another parent shared that Kennedee helped her child learn to stand up for themself. Kennedee is a dynamo, and we were honored to have her as the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics (RIAO) and Save-A-Limb Fund Superstar Ambassador for the 2023 Robert I. Damie Race for Our Kids.

When asked what she would share with other parents considering treatment at the Rubin Institute, Kimberlee shared, “The RIAO will give you all the support you need. Understand that the process may be stressful and costly, but this team will give it their all to get you through, and you CAN get through this process. Don’t give up hope.”

“Be realistic in your expectations. I had to learn quickly she wouldn’t be the same as when she walked out. Seeing other kids undergoing treatment here has been very helpful to us. It’s helpful to see they are living normal lives.”

When asked about Dr. Standard, Kimberlee shared, “The whole team has been amazing. I didn’t know what to expect. Dr. Standard was very comforting, and I appreciated that he was realistic and did not give me false hopes. He even gave me his personal cell number, and I had never had a doctor do that before.”