Fish Fry Friday

Today is the annual Shriner's fish fry in Wilson. Read here for more information.

I grew up going to Greenville, SC to the Shriners' Hospital. I was born with my left femur shorter than my right.

My parents were given 3 choices: 1.) amputate my left leg; 2.) do nothing and I would wear a built up shoe the rest of my life; or 3.) surgery - putting a device in my leg to lengthen it. This device was made in Germany and had not been used in the US. My parents made the decision and I was the first person to have the Wagner leg lengthening device in the United States.

I had several surgeries over the years to lengthen my left leg. These surgeries were done at no cost to my family. I know that God used - what people would consider a birth defect - to strengthen me. I am so very thankful to Him, to the Shriners' Hospital in Greenville, SC and to the Shriners who raise money to provide other children with the same opportunity I was given.