Kerbela Shriners Poster Child Bailee Grand Marshal of TNE New Market Christmas Parade, December 15, 2013

2013 Kerbela Shriner’s Poster Child Bailee and The 2013 Kerbela Shriner’s Potentate William W. ” Bill ” Gentry Jr. – Photo courtesy of Knoxville Kerbela Shriners

THE 2013 KERBELA SHRINERS POSTER CHILD BAILEE WILL BE STARING AS GRAND MARSHALL OF TNE ANNUAL NEW MARKET CHRISTMAS PARADE SPONSORED BY THE NEW MARKET COMMUNITY CLUB ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 15TH @ 2:30 P.M.

Submitted by Johnny Fountain, New Market Community Club

When Bailee was born on her expected due date weighing 1 ounce shy of 7 pounds the doctors reveled that she had a condition of her left leg named Fibula Hemimelia which basically meant that the fibula bone in her left leg was just not there. Her foot only had 4 toes and was turned when before birth evaluations was done and the dr’s. Thought it was a club Foot or similar condition that could be treated and corrected.

Shortly after birth and doing more investigations the Dr’s. Told the Parents that the condition was different and more serious than first thought and the only option for this type of disease was to amputate her foot and part of the leg or she would endure painful procedures for many years with no promise of success. The amputation was done at approx. 4 months since that is the earliest they like to do surgery @ Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.

She came thru surgery and did great during recovery,she had a cast over her newly amputated foot. Bailee was around 10 months old when she got her first prosthetic leg it was a small hard cast like prosthesis that had a small rubber foot on the end. Bailee wasn’t walking yet, but she needed the leg so as she pulled up and pushed walking toys and then could learn to walk with it as if she had two feet.

As Bailee grew and because she had no tendon or Muscles in the calf, the leg would thin out

and the prosthesis would come off. Also she was growing taller and taller and would get adjustments to the prosthesis almost every other week, trying to make the prosthesis last longer. A new leg was inevitable, but where would another 12,000.00 come from to buy it?

Bailee’s Mom took her to Walmart at approximate 18 months old. Outside the Walmart Store doors were two members of the Shriners Paper Sales saleing the annual Shrine Paper and though the family has limited finances little Bailee handed the Men some money and purchased a paper. When she (Bailee’s mom) went by the men one noticed her leg and asked about it. Then she started to proceed to explain Bailee’s problem he gave them the phone numbers to reach Kerbela Shriners in Knoxville, who set them up with the Shriners Hospital for Children in Lexington,Ky. For an evaluation appointment and thought they would be able to help Bailee get a new prosthetic leg.

The day came for us to go to Lexington, Ky. Shriner hospital We (Bailee’s Parents) were excited at the turn of events,gratitude over whelmed Us as not one but two

Doctors who were the best in the field of Medicine came and examined Bailee and then they casted her immediately and rushed to get her a new prosthetic leg ready within two weeks. Tears of joy came when they placed her now overdue leg on and as she learned to walk on it as if she’d always had it.

The Family walked out of there following a follow up appointment and knew they would owe a huge cost of this to be told “No – This is what we do- this is why we are

here”. Bailee has been a Shriner hospital for Children patient since 2006. She is now 8 years old and full of life and can do anything that she puts her mind to, biggest accomplishment now is her place on the Pre-Team in competitive tumbling and gymnastics. In May 2012 at the age of 7 years and by October 2012 (one month before she would be 8 years old) she was offered a spot on the pre-team which usually take an average of 2 years to make Bailee accomplished the task in only 6 months. She continues to competing in gymnastics – due to a new rule on competitions known as the “Bailee Rule” and runs plays like any other child her age a and doesn’t feel any limitations to what she can do with her new leg and foot !