Meet our Junior Race Directors from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Each year, a Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) patient serves as the Junior Race Director, representing the thousands of children treated at the hospital each year. In this role, the Junior Race Director helps participants and sponsors understand how TSRHC benefits from the support of friends like the marathon. The Junior Race Director takes part in race-day festivities by officially counting down the start of the race, offering pre-race words of encouragement to participants as well as meeting and greeting spectators and race finishers.
Ryanne – 2010
Ryanne Carr, age 7 of Mineola, Texas, captivates everyone she meets with her exuberant nature and confidence to try new things. Faced with adversity since birth, Ryanne was adopted from Kazakhstan in the former Soviet Union in 2005 at the young age of 2, at which time she became a patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Born with a condition called amniotic band syndrome, which constricts the growth of extremities including arms, legs and fingers, Ryanne is a double amputee and is missing part of her right arm. As part of the orthopedic care that she receives at TSRHC, the hospital provides Ryanne with prosthetic limbs, which allow her to do the things she loves.
She participates in competitive sports and especially loves to run and race in her racing wheelchair. Along with her recent gold medals in track and field events, Ryanne is particularly proud of her archery accomplishments as she uses her teeth to draw back and shoot. She hopes to one day compete in archery for the Paralympics.
She enjoys spending time and playing with her siblings—brother Nikolas, 10, and sisters Haydn, 9, and Rina, 4, who were also adopted from Kazakhstan. The Carr family was recently in the spotlight when they received a new home as part of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition television show.
Ryanne is a shining example of determination and self-confidence. She is excited to serve as Junior Race Director as a way to give back to the hospital for her medical care and numerous prostheses the hospital has provided.
Robert – 2009
Robert of Plano, Texas, has been a patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since he was 7 weeks old. He was born with developmental dysplasia (DDH) of his right hip, or an abnormal hip socket formation. When Robert was 6 months old, he was placed in a soft, fabric brace, in an attempt to help keep his hip from being dislocated. A short 5 months later and to help correct his hip further, Robert underwent surgery at TSRHC. He spent the next two months in a hip spica cast, used to immobilize the hips and that usually extends from the mid-chest down to below the knee. At age 5, Robert underwent his second surgery and was again placed in a hip spica cast. During his recovery, Robert re-learned how to walk with the help of physical therapists. Now pain free and walking independently, Robert excels in sports. He plays baseball and golf and enjoys running and swimming. According to his family, Robert has a special name for his affected right hip calling it his “power bionic hip.” His exuberant, happy-go-lucky nature perfectly compliments his love for acting and the arts. He plays the piano, is a fan of Pokémon and loves “American Idol.”
Morgan – 2008
Morgan, of McKinney, Texas, has been a patient at TSRHC since August 2003. She receives treatment at the hospital for idiopathic scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and had surgery at TSRHC to correct her curve in September of that same year. Morgan, a star forward-center on her school’s basketball team, is active in basketball and travels around the country playing competitively with her team. She hopes to get a scholarship to play at the collegiate level. Aside from playing basketball and attending school, Morgan loves to cook and spend time with her friends.
Jaclynne – 2007
Jac, a Frisco, Texas, resident, has been treated for scoliosis since March 2007 and wears a brace to assist in preventing the curve of her spine. Jac has participated in cheerleading since age 5 and recently was chosen to cheer at her school. Jac is a huge fan of TSRHC, as the doctors have encouraged her to continue cheering despite her scoliosis. She also cheers competitively, plays the piano and performed in a stage production of the hit movie Disney’s “High School Musical,” through the drama department at her school. View Jac’s Fundraising Page in support of TSRHC.
Kelsey – 2006
Rowlett, Texas, resident Kelsey Andrews has been a patient at TSRHC since she was 3 weeks old. Kelsey wears a prosthesis on her right leg and is treated in the hospital’s prosthetics clinic. She is a successful student and enjoys student council and acting. Kelsey loves the doctors at TSRHC and appreciates their encouragement to overcome challenges in her life. Kelsey has an incredibly positive attitude and motivates others to approach hardships with a positive attitude, as it makes life more fun. She believes that her prosthesis is one way God made her special.
Jordyn – 2005
Jordyn has been a patient at TSRHC since age 5, when her left leg was amputated due to cancer. The hospital has fitted her with numerous prosthetic legs imprinted with designs or “tattoos,” such as flowers, peace signs and smiley faces. Jordyn’s favorite activities include cheerleading, swimming, t-ball, volleyball, gymnastics, theater and volunteering. Even with a demanding schedule, she is on her school’s academic honor roll. Jordyn’s fun-loving personality, love for sports and compassion for the hospital and fellow patients make her an outstanding representative of TSRHC.
Cody – 2004
Born with a condition called sacral agenesis, Cody’s legs were missing the tibias and knees. After several visits with physicians at TSRHC, Tina and Mike McCasland decided to have a portion of their son’s legs amputated, in the hopes that he would be able to walk with prostheses. Cody underwent amputation surgery in January 2003 at 15 months old, and by March 2003, he was fitted with his first prostheses and was walking with assistance. Cody loves to laugh, and he continues to amaze everyone, as he completed his first 5K at age 5 in the summer of 2007. With his great spirit, can-do attitude and award-winning smile, Cody captures the heart of all and surely will be a star athlete. View Cody’s Fundraising Page in support of TSRHC.
For more information about Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, please visit www.tsrhc.org or call (214) 559-5000 or (800) 421-1121.
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Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009