MVOCC helps Girard toddler have a better future
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On Aug. 4, the Mahoning Valley Olde Car Club will host its annual Cars in the Park at Boardman Park.
The event will feature many of the Valley's top vintage automobiles and will serve as a vehicle to raise funds to help a local child in need.
"Since 2004, our club has raised $250,000 for children and another $55,000 for Hospice," said MVOCC President Amy Suszynski.
She said this year is no different and the event will benefit 18-month-old Jace Mooney, son of Ashley Richmond and A.J. Mooney of Girard, who has fibular hemimelia.
"He is missing the fibula bone in his left leg," Richmond said. "There is about a 2-inch length difference between his right and left leg. It was diagnosed while he was in utero during an anatomy scan."
She said Jace has trouble standing on his own for more than a couple seconds because of the limb length difference. Because his foot is stuck in the kicked out position, he can only really stand on his big toe. He walks along the furniture and holds onto the wall, but can't walk by himself just yet.
So far, Jace has had a consult, a few X-rays and an MRI done. He undergoes surgery this week. He will go through two different surgeries in Florida at the Paley Spine and Orthopedic Institute.
The first surgery was set for July 16 and basically reconstructed his ankle so that his foot will sit flat instead of kicked out to the side. It should give him a better range of motion, Richmond said.
Following that surgery, sometime in August, he will have the first leg-lengthening surgery. According to Richmond, this one is less invasive than the first surgery.
He will have an external fixator on his left leg that will be in place for roughly eight months. The fixator device will have six turn keys that will have to be turned three-quarters of a millimeter daily to help lengthen his tibia. He also will have to undergo physical therapy five days a week for 11 weeks after this surgery. He will need two more lengthening surgeries over the next few years.
The medical expenses for the surgeries have hit the family budget pretty hard.
"Thankfully the doctor is in network through our insurance; however, the out-of-pocket expenses are still pretty high," Richmond said. "We have been blessed with people in our lives that have helped us raise money for Jace. The Girard Firefighters Local 1220 put on a Fireman's Ball for us last December to help raise money to help with the cost of surgeries and relocating. The MVOCC has also been kind enough to raise money for Jace. The Knights of Columbus are also doing an event for Jace this November. We are eternally grateful to all of these people."
While most people head to Florida for a relaxing vacation, Jace's parents have relocated there in an attempt to give their son a better life. Jace got his first experience playing in the sand. He loves playing with his cars and trucks, as well as looking at flash cards and books and just being outside.
"My heart breaks for him but in my heart of hearts (I know) Jesus is holding Jace in his hands," said Lenore Mooney, Jace's grandmother. "I just pray that the pain he will feel will be minimal and manageable. Just to see him walk, run and do what every other little boy can do will make this all worth it."