Hope for a Brighter Future

Leigh, of Tampa, Fla., was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also called brittle bone disease. OI is a genetic disorder caused by imperfectly formed bone collagen that causes bones to break extremely easily. At just three weeks old, Leigh was admitted to Shriners Hospitals for Children — Tampa as the youngest patient in a clinical study just being started on the effects of pamidronate, a medicine given intravenously to patients with OI. Even with the medicine, Leigh has had 20 broken bones, which she says, "is not so fun." She has had rods inserted in her legs to further strengthen the bones. Leigh is in the gifted program at school and is a popular, exuberant, confident child. She is also aware of how much Shriners Hospitals has influenced her life. For her third birthday, she asked that guests bring money to help Shriners Hospitals, instead of toys. Her request has become an annual fundraiser and has raised thousands of dollars for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• osteogenesis
• imperfecta
• (OI)
• pamidronate
• children
• hospitals
• shriners
• nonprofit

[tuckergolden888]

oh my gosh i went to shriners... but now i am to old... i went to chicagos... but shriners helped me so much... i loved shriners... i had 10 surgeries there... they are so nice... incredible story...

[GANGFOLIFE]

Bull crap i have the same thing and what i get nothin yhea nothin

[LIVEsuPerHeroeS]

ur my hEROeS

[amparo275]

God bless her!!!!!!!! she amazing

[nursebabe1]

what a precious child

[popshvt]

born for parkour

[75gldy]

I have oi. when i was born my femurs were broken. but ur little girl is absolutely beautiful. god bless you for not giving up hope:)<3

[Emilinepinkie]

@jehot5 how old are you now??

[Sirknight1000]

They showed this video at my Shriners initiation in Nashville Tennessee. Everyone was moved by it.May god bless the Dittmans.

[WarriorRadio]

Hello Dear Leigh, You have really inspired me, little one. I had lots of help from the Shriners and The Elks Lodge when I was young. God bless your sweet heart and your exceptional parents strength. Your parents are very endearing to one like me who know no love from my birth parents. I commend you both. I know it's hard to let her fly as hard as she cans but as a 43 year old I must say that when I learned how to get around by myself, I broke less. I just want to send you love! xoxo SHELL