Zoe Lush was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic inherited disease that causes skeletal bones to become unusually fragile and break easily.
While still in her mother's womb, Zoya broke several bones and damaged her collarbone during birth. She underwent several operations and surgeons inserted steel rods into her limbs to ensure their strength. The same steel bar strengthens her cervical spine to prevent the girl from breaking her neck.
The latter is not just a concern, it actually almost happened one day. Moreover, almost all the bones of a 6-year-old girl broke at least once. She can break her rib simply by sneezing hard, and falling can have tragic consequences.
When Chelsea, a 20-year-old California resident, became pregnant, doctors revealed early on that her child had a serious illness and that he had broken several bones in the womb. Doctors advised Chelsea to terminate the pregnancy, but she refused.
Now Chelsea does not regret her decision, although she admits that her daughter is very sick.
- She amazes us every day. Doctors said she was unlikely to survive after birth, but soon she would be seven years old and still alive.
Treating her daughter's fractures has become routine for 27-year-old Chelsea Lush and her husband, 28-year-old Curtis. Part of their life. After Zoe, they had another child, a boy. He is now three years old and healthy.
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“Zoe has gone through so many fractures that we stopped counting them after a hundred. And it was only for her first birthday, says Curtis.
“We know that fractures will become a permanent part of her life for her, but we are trying to alleviate her condition. We take Zoya to physical therapy and this has already yielded results, now she breaks her bones less often, as her muscles have become stronger.
Despite all the difficulties, Zoe seems to be a happy child. She loves to play with her brother and, according to her mother, is socially open and loves to be with other children. She would like to make friends with everyone she meets. Now Zoe is successfully learning to ride in a wheelchair.
- I would not want to change my mind, if I had such a chance, - says her mother Chelsea, - In the future, I hope that she will have the same opportunities as other people and she will be happy.