Bismarck Toddler Takes First Steps via Brand-new Custom Walker
One-and-a-half-year-old BriCanna Hjelmstad was born with a disorder so rare, it doesn't even have a name. She used to get around solely with the help of her family.
Until now.
BriCanna, who lives with her mom Lorie in Bismarck, is one of only two reported cases in the world with her particular disorder, a triplication of her 8th chromosome.
She also has pituitary dwarfism, meaning she does not possess growth hormones. She has already grown as big as she ever will, which is less than half the size of an average small toddler her age.
Her stunted growth used to mean she could not walk on her own. But now, thanks to her new blinged-out custom walker, she can learn to walk just like any other child.
Eventually, BriCanna should be able to get around all on her own, without the walker.
Says CHI St. Alexius' Dr. Cara Mitzel:
That's one of the best things about being a pediatric physical therapist is when you see little girls like BriCanna be able to be independent and to do things that they weren't able to do when they first started coming for therapy.
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