Michigan mom raising money to get 8-year-old daughter with rare birth defects to Florida surgeon

BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Each step for Sophie Turner is a mini miracle.

The 8-year-old from Brownstown Township was born with a uncommon congenital bone deformity.

“Her legs had been the one brief a part of her physique,” Sophie’s mother Angel Turner mentioned. “Aside from that, she was proportioned.”

What docs first thought was dwarfism, turned out to be one thing far rarer. Sophie was recognized with Bilateral Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency. The complicated beginning defect primarily impacts the femur bones.

As Sophie grew older and her legs didn’t, docs advisable amputation.

Her mother got down to get a second, third, and fourth opinion.

“It’s been a protracted journey,” Turner mentioned “I’ve taken her to physician after physician and I lastly have discovered any individual that’d take heed to me and informed me what I must do and informed me she’s going to be OK.”

Based mostly in Florida, Dr. Dror Paley was the reply to their prayers.

Dr. Paley invented the surgical procedures that may save Sophie’s legs and provides her mobility others thought inconceivable.

“It was like assembly the President of the US,” Turner mentioned about lastly getting an appointment with Paley.

“In my world (of) orthopedics, he’s a god, so it was very overwhelming, and that day was very emotional,” Turner mentioned.

Sophie’s first operation with Dr. Paley befell in Florida in 2019. It allowed Sophie to go from scooting and crawling to strolling with a specialised walker.

It’s time for Sophie to return to Florida for a second operation with Dr. Paley.

“Reconstruct the entire leg so she’ll be capable of use it,” Turner mentioned, describing a part of the operation.

Turner mentioned their insurance coverage gained’t cowl the surgical procedure, deeming it elective. However for Sophie, the surgical procedure can be life-changing.

Dr. Paley will cowl the price of the operation, which implies the household will solely need to pay for journey, lodging, and different restoration bills.

“(Dr. Paley) mentioned she’s going to stroll, run, leap like every other child,” Turner mentioned. “I place confidence in him.”

A GoFundme has been created to assist the Turners increase the mandatory funds, with hopes of scheduling the operation for late summer time or early fall.