Ella Lincoln
Ella Lincoln moves around the house much like any other one-year-old would. She smiles for the camera, all the while being passed between Mom and Dad. She doesn’t miss a beat in playing with her toys, occasionally yelling out “Lellow [yellow] A” to let her parents know which block she’s identified. Mom and Dad respond with “B,” helping her take the first steps to learning the alphabet. Someone seeing Ella take a belly dive across the family room coffee table would never know this precious little girl has only one functioning leg. “We had no idea that her leg was not developing properly until birth,” said her mother, Tracey.
Not only was Ella born six weeks premature, spending five weeks in the Norton NICU, she also was diagnosed with severe acid reflux and amniotic band syndrome, the reason for the improper development of her leg.
When local doctors struggled to find a diagnosis or treatment for Ella, the Lincolns began the first of many trips to a specialist that gave the family a little hope for a better outcome. “The doctors we initially consulted with thought our only option would be to amputate her entire leg,” said Tracey. “Fortunately, a surgeon was able to locate a functioning knee which allowed Ella to keep her leg.”
Numerous surgeries and limitless travel began to weigh on the Lincolns both physically and financially. Fortunately, Tracey’s job with Humana and Kevin’s with Hilliard Lyons were very supportive and encouraged them to take all the time they needed to help Ella. The financial situation was not as easy to remedy. After savings had been drained and credit cards maxed out, Tracey and Kevin were at a loss for how they would continue to care for Ella.
“A friend recommended we contact Kosair Charities,” said Kevin. “It was a phone call and a little paperwork, and they were prepared to give us all the help we needed. If it weren’t for them, we couldn’t have afforded the necessary visits to the specialist.”
Ella still has a long road ahead of her, but she wakes up every day happy and smiling — ready for anything. She undergoes therapy at least three times a week and has the blessing of extended family support. Kevin’s mother cares for Ella during the day and walks the sidewalks with her as part of the daily at-home therapy in which the entire family participates.
There are more surgeries in Ella’s future — how many, no one knows. Limb lengthening procedures will continue as she grows, preparing her for the possibility of a leg transplant someday. “Kosair Charities is still helping every step of the way,” said Kevin. “We truly thank God for them and the help they gave and continue to give our family. We don’t know where we’d be without them.”