Riley’s diagnosis with cerebral palsy became apparent when her family noticed she wasn’t hitting the typical milestones. “I was not walking at 18 months old,” she recalls. “It was recommended that I have an evaluation by PT and OT specialists after seeing my pediatrician,” leading to her diagnosis of cerebral palsy shortly after.
Prior to treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, Riley faced the challenges of cerebral palsy. “I had very big bunions on both feet, which made walking and running long distances very painful,” she shares. “I had a very limited range of motion due to my CP, that made running, walking, and swimming difficult on my muscles. I couldn’t wear a lot of shoes, like sandals and flats.”
However, Riley’s life took a turn for the better when she discovered Nemours Children’s in Wilmington, Delaware through the recommendations of peers who had undergone similar journeys. “My family found Nemours through talking to other kids and their parents who had similar disabilities to me,” she explains. “They all had such a positive experience with their care and surgeries.”
Under the guidance of Dr. Jason Howard and the dedicated team at Nemours Children’s, Riley underwent a series of treatments including hamstring lengthening, bilateral 1st metatarsal joint fusion, and gait lab assessments. As Riley reflects on her time with her care team, she shares, “Everything has been amazing since my first visit to Nemours when I was very young. The pre-op, post-op, anesthesia staff, PT/OT staff, nurses, and doctors all made it an easy experience and made me feel comfortable.”
March 2023 marked a significant milestone in Riley’s journey as she underwent a major surgery. Despite the understandable anxieties that accompanied such a procedure, Riley found comfort in the unwavering support of her care team. “For just being a year out of recovery, I feel amazing!” she says. “I am back to swimming and enjoying my senior year of high school! I even got to wear dress shoes to prom!”
Looking ahead, Riley’s future shines brightly with promise. “I’m headed to college next year and hope to continue club swimming, along with adaptive and Paralympic swimming,” she shares. “That has given me a huge outlet to connect with kids like me. I’m going to keep living my life knowing that I’m capable of anything.”
For those embarking on similar journeys, Riley offers these words of encouragement, “It is okay and normal to be nervous for surgery,” she reassures. “You will get back to where you were and back to doing what you love! My experience was definitely worth it because everyone involved was so supportive and helpful through the whole recovery. Most importantly, be confident in yourself and stay positive and accepting.”
With every stroke in the pool, Riley breaks barriers and inspires others to do the same, proving that with determination and great care, anything is possible.
