During Stephanie’s pregnancy, a routine 12-week ultrasound revealed that her daughter Braelynn’s left leg was not developing as expected.
Soon after, the family met Dr. Louise Reid Nichols, who diagnosed Braelynn with Fibular Hemimelia (FH), a congenital condition affecting the development of the fibula bone in the leg.
When Stephanie was just 20 weeks pregnant, her doctors referred the family to Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware. From the moment they arrived, Nemours became more than a hospital — it became a place of hope, compassion, and support.
After several appointments, Braelynn’s family learned that her left leg would need to be amputated. She would receive a prosthetic and attend physical and occupational therapy. But what made her journey truly special was the bond she formed with her care team.
“The Nemours Orthopedic Department has been our second family since the day Braelynn was born,” Stephanie said. “We would be lost without their incredible hard work and dedication!”
“Braelynn is my little fin,” said Dr. Nichols. “Full of boundless energy and an infectious giggle, she was born with a significant limb difference. We began by gathering information while enjoying her spirited personality. One of my favorite memories was introducing her to another child with fibular hemimelia at our Brace for the Race event, celebrating people with limb differences. Sharing this journey with Braelynn’s family has been nothing short of magical.”
Braelynn’s recovery brought challenges, including a longer-than-expected period in a cast to ensure proper healing after surgery in March. But her progress soon gave her family a reason to celebrate.
“Once she had healed, Braelynn was fitted for her prosthetic and began taking her first steps just three months later!” Stephanie shared. “Today, she is doing amazingly well, learning to control her body and move toward wherever she wants to go. It makes all the difficult days worthwhile.”
As Braelynn continues to grow, her family sees a special connection between her journey and Nemo from Finding Nemo. Just as Nemo’s unique fin became a symbol of courage and determination, Braelynn’s prosthetic represents her strength and perseverance. Through every challenge, the family holds onto one simple message: ‘Just keep swimming.’
“We look forward to Braelynn living her best life, with nothing holding her back,” Stephanie said.
Her advice to other parents facing similar challenges is to take things one day at a time.
“At first, everything can seem so frightening. But once you meet your child and watch them accomplish everyday things you once worried might never be possible, so many of those fears begin to fade. Take it day by day, and let your child move at their own pace!”
Source: blog.nemours.org
