Mikaela MacNaughton, a five year old girl with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, has returned to Yellowknife from Texas for a specialized surgery.
photo courtesy of Ruth MacNaughton
The trip was not without it's complications, says her mother Ruth MacNaughton.
The first surgery went well, but as the family was getting closer to discharge, x-rays had revealed a complication.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey had pinned her hip to heal but her bone was so brittle, it broke away from the pin and they needed to go in again,SA国际影视传媒� said Ruth.
The family ended up staying in Texas for another week for the extra surgery which resulted in a metal plate being fashioned to Mikaela's hip.
Mikaela initially had completed the surgery to readjust her hips after they dislocated due to tight muscle tension.
SA国际影视传媒淥therwise we're doing as expected now. It was a very good experience, care was top notch,SA国际影视传媒� said Ruth.
SA国际影视传媒淲e're very thankful it was caught before we left,SA国际影视传媒� said Ruth. SA国际影视传媒淲e were actually getting ready for discharge before the doctor told us there was a problem.SA国际影视传媒�
Mikaela was outfitted in a lower body brace to facilitate healing.
SA国际影视传媒淪he's in a body brace now. Gives us some mobility. It can be set to allow for some movement of the legs. She has less range than anticipated, but it's being limited for the healing,SA国际影视传媒� said Ruth.
Fundraiser
Now that Mikaela and the MacNaughtons have returned to Yellowknife, family friends will be hosting an event called SA国际影视传媒淢oustaches for MikaelaSA国际影视传媒� an event to help raise money to cover the costs of the initial surgery.
SA国际影视传媒淐hris has had a moustache for pretty much half of his life and (it) has really become a calling card,SA国际影视传媒� said Ruth.
He will be shaving it off at Ragged Ass Barbers on May 26 at 2 p.m. to raise funds and awareness for his daughter's surgeries.
Mikaela's brother, Matthias, will also be taking part in the event.
SA国际影视传媒淗e's two years old and hasn't had a haircut yet, so at the event we'll be shaving his head,SA国际影视传媒� said Ruth.
Ruth says she also hopes to donate the hair to cancer patients.
The initial surgery cost the family roughly $30,000 USD and they have yet to receive a bill for the second surgery.
SA国际影视传媒淚'm not about to call them up and ask for it either,SA国际影视传媒� said Ruth with a laugh.
In the meantime, a fundraising campaign has been set up on Give-Send-Go, on online fundraising platform and Ruth has continued to make Handmades for Mikaela, which are sold in six stores in Yellowknife.
Fundraising will also be used to help the family afford ongoing specialized treatment.
