Our Stories – PAO Stories Alexa Alexa is a long-time supporter and contributor to Miles4Hips. As a running coach and massage therapist, she has created many patient resources related to rehabilitation and return-to-running. Alexa is also a Miles4Hips Champion and has created advocacy and awareness, as well as additional fundraising for the IHDI. Andrea Andrea, an active adult diagnosed with hip dysplasia, shares a video story of her PAO surgeries and how she has overcome complications and challenges from them. Andrea shares advice and inspiration for other patients going through hip dysplasia. Ashley Miles4Hips board member Ashley shares her story of perseverance in the face of 24 hip surgeries, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, complications, infections, the loss of her hip and 1/3 of her proximal femur. She does not let this get in the way of her life and has found a love of adaptive sports including skiing and wheelchair racing. Chelsea Chelsea from the UK shares her journey of diagnosis and undergoing Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (Birmingham Interlocking Pelvic Osteotomy) surgery and hardware removal on both hips. She also completed her Master’s Degree at a top UK university during this time. Cianna Cianna, a teen hip dysplasia patient and dancer, shares her story of injury, diagnosis, and preparations for her first PAO surgery. Plus she caught her labral tear on video and shares it in her story – OUCH!!! We can’t wait to follow her return to dancing after surgery!!! Claire Claire is an athlete, musculoskeletal specialist physiotherapist, and hip dysplasia patient in the UK who is also a hip dysplasia advocate and valuable contributor to Miles4Hips. Connie Connie, an adult hip dysplasia patient, shares her journey through multiple hip surgeries, including arthroscopies and a PAO surgery, and how she came to accept having 2 hip replacements in her early 40s. Emily An adult hip patient shares her story about being treated in infancy for hip dysplasia, undergoing a PAO as a young adult, and the lessons she has learned through her experiences. Emily and Annabelle Emily and Annabelle’s family shares their story of how hip dysplasia has affected their lives across generations. They share how they have used their experience to effect change in screening practices in their pediatrician’s office. They hope their awareness efforts will prevent other families from dealing with complications from late diagnosis. Erin An adult hip dysplasia patient shares her poignant story about undergoing PAO and labral reconstruction surgeries and the many lessons as she returned to her roles as mother, wife, harpist, and grand adventurer. Grace Grace, a teenage hip dysplasia patient and avid dancer, shares how she has maintained positivity in light of her diagnosis and PAO surgeries Hannah Hannah, a teenage hip dysplasia patient and one of our Miles4Hips Champions, shares her story of multiple surgeries and how her journey has positively shaped her life. Jackie Jackie is a yoga instructor and future physical therapist. She shares the story of her dysplasia diagnosis and PAO surgery. Kaitlynn Kaitlynn, an ortho/trauma nurse and dance/gymnastics teacher shares her experience of being diagnosed with hip dysplasia, undergoing a PAO at age 30 (at a children’s hospital!), and her optimism for returning to dance. Kathryn Kathryn, an avid softball player, shares her story of perseverance. Four surgeries in four years including three hip arthroscopies, and her recent PAO during the COVID pandemic. Keely Keely, a young adult hip dysplasia patient and mastermind behind the 2020 “Pass the Crutch” video shares her complicated journey to get a proper diagnosis and preparations for her future surgery. Kelli Kelli, a hip dysplasia patient, nurse, and yoga enthusiast, shares her life-long story of hip dysplasia, including being treated as a child, undergoing a PAO as a college student in 1994, and having a total hip replacement in 2013. Laura A musical theatre actor shares her story about being diagnosed with hip dysplasia, undergoing PAO surgery, and working towards her great comeback! Lauren Lauren shares her inspiring story of overcoming adversity, starting as a tiny baby in the NICU, and continuing through childhood and teenage years filled with orthopedic surgeries. Lauren is in college and dreams of serving others by becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Mariah Mariah shares her story of growing up with pain and limited function due to hip dysplasia. She provides detailed accounts of her 9 (yes, 9!) hip surgeries and how she has overcome adversity. Marie-Christine Marie-Christine shares the story of her hip dysplasia journey, and the importance of learning to navigate the healthcare system and advocate for herself. MaryBeth An American aerial dancer shares her story about being diagnosed with hip dysplasia while living abroad and undergoing 2 PAO surgeries in Denmark. Sara Sara shares her multi-year journey of seeking answers for her chronic hip pain in hopes that her story and advocacy will help other patients receive earlier diagnosis and treatment. Sydney Sydney tells the story of her diagnosis, PAO surgery and recovery as a teen. She also shares her insights into how her journey has changed and inspired her. “I hope to inspire others to get through this no matter how hard it is because if you can get through this, you can get through almost anything!” Meghan Meghan shares her long journey to getting an accurate hip dysplasia diagnosis after the birth of her two boys. She recently underwent a PAO surgery and is hoping to be back to hiking and playing with her kids without pain!
