Morgan

Morgan is 4 years old and lives in Wyoming, MI. She has Arthrogryposis. Morgan was the 2014 Holiday Kids Campaign beneficiary for the Michigan region. The ATI Foundation provided $2,000 towards medical and travel expenses for a trip to St. Louis for one of Morgan’s surgeries.

Morgan was born with arthrogryposis, a congenital condition with joint contractures (curvature) in two or more areas of her body. This causes abnormal fibrosis of the muscle tissue causing muscle shortening, which in turn affects her ability to do passive extension and flexion in the affected joints. Morgan has a severe case of club feet and her hands are tight, making it difficult to perform normal daily activities like eating and coloring.

At four years old, Morgan has already been serial casted six times, had six surgeries on her hips and feet, and has been in braces since she was two days old. She sees a psychiatrist and has chronic foot and back pain.

Her surgeon in Grand Rapids, Michigan has recently retired, so the Ziembas need to travel out of state for treatments by experienced surgeons. Morgan’s next surgery was in early 2015, requiring a five-night stay in a hotel; they needed to return two more times to have Morgan’s casts changed and pins removed.

Morgan uses a wheelchair, walker and a cane. She has a strong desire to walk independently and eventually ride a bike, ice skate and play soccer.