Family Story
For the Newton family Dr. Mackenzie is not just a doctor, he is a miracle worker. While at a conference in their home state of North Carolina, Dr. Mackenzie talked with the Newton family about their 10 year-old son Eric, who has Kniest Dysplasia. Kniest Dysplasia is a bone disorder in which there are small holes in the skeletal system, causing bones to break very easily. It also affects Eric's eye sight and causes bones in his joints to be larger than normal. Many doctors in North Carolina had told the Newtons that there was not much they could do, but Dr. Mackenzie thought differently! He told them to come to Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children so he could treat Eric.
It was almost a year later until the Newtons made the trip up to Delaware. Dr. Mackenzie recommended surgery to put screws in his hips and knees to stabilize Eric’s joints to increase his mobility. About a month after surgery Eric was up and moving around with a walker, then progressed to crutches. Hopefully, Eric will soon be moving around without assistance. The ability to do all of this comes from his strong will power and determination!
The Newtons are thankful to the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware for providing them with a hot meal, warm bed and lots of friendly faces. Eric likes making new friends at the House and playing different games with them such as pirates and army between his appointments. His mom and cousin Haley like the fact that it gives Eric something to do after their time at the hospital. They like being able to talk with other families about what they are going through and bond with families going through similar situations. “Having the House lets us breathe easy knowing there is a place to sleep and hot meals being served everyday. It gives Eric something to do after his therapy session with kids his own age going through similar situations.”
