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Tristan Gifford’s Story
Hi, my name isTristan Gifford. I have is a rare hip disease called Perthes diagnosed last March only a few weeks before my 10th birthday. At that time, the doctor told me I had to use crutches and a wheel chair all the time. I could not run, jump or play with my friends anymore. This is the hardest thing I have had to accept about my disease.
My first surgery was on August 28th 2007. After the surgery, my legs were cast from the knee to my feet and a bar was put between my legs to hold them apart. I was in bed for 6 long weeks. When my cast came off, I went back to bed rest for 4 more weeks. I had to get therapy to learn how to walk again. During this time, my teacher came to our home to teach me since I could not go to class. Two months later, I was finally able to go back to school in my wheelchair.
I started seeing a new doctor who specializes in my disease. His name is Dr. Wenger and we have to go to Rady’s Children’s Hospital in San Diego to see him. Because Perthes is so rare, you have to go far to get the kind of help you need.
In January 2008, my new doctor decided that I needed another surgery because my leg was not healing properly. This surgery took over 5 hours. I was put in a cast that went from my chest to toes. Even worse was the three screws they put in my hip and the rod in femur. Later the screws and rod were removed and I was on bed rest again. When I finally got the cast off 8 weeks later, I had to be on total bed rest again for another 7 weeks. Once again I had to go to therapy and learn how to walk all over again.
Now the doctors do not know what will happen next. My doctors say that I need anywhere from 5 to 12 more surgeries before I have my first hip replacement. My life has been hard to say the least. What’s harder is watching my mom worry about how to provide for my medical care.
April 11th will be my 12th birthday. On this day, soccer trainer/coach Jaime Arroyo will partner up with the founder of ASTO and Former US Captain Thomas Dooley to host a soccer tennis tournament fund raiser for my upcoming surgeries. I hope you will be able to attend!
Tristan
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Click here for Waiver Form
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