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Michigan Track Star's Foot Saved at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children

At 17 Brandon Brown seemed poised to follow in the track and field footsteps of his All-American parents. He was a star at everything he touched, from the hurdles to relays to sprinting and the high jump. His coaches at Carman-Ainsworth High School in Flint, Michigan believed he would earn a college scholarship.

Then, it was all shattered. His ankle was severely injured in an automobile accident last November. After 11 days of treatment, local doctors told Brown his only option was amputation from the ankle down and that he would never run track again.

"I didn't believe it (that I'd never walk again). Track was everything," Brandon said.

Somehow, though, Brandon -- with the help of his mother and a coach -- found the strength to go on.

"I couldn't let them cut off his foot," Brandon's mother said. "He could still move it. It was just a bone that was cracked and he couldn't put pressure on it. I said I will fight and I will find 100 second opinions until I find someone who can fix this."

Desperate for help, she contacted assistant track coach Kirk Richards. Richards who coached Brandon for the last year, said his story hit close to home. "I had running taken away from me for 5 years when I was younger," Richards said. He knew he had to figure out something.

"I'm a coach that believes kids need every opportunity they can have to do better. It's about building better people and Brandon is a great kid."

Some quick research led Richards to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida. Richards shared Brandon's story with hospital officials on New Years Day, and physicians in the hospital's Pediatric Sports Medicine program quickly accepted the case. Brown and his mother flew to Florida on February 4 for a consultation with Drs. Jay Albright and Chad Price. They were confident they could perform an effective surgical repair of his ankle. Brandon was sent home with a physical therapy regimen to help him prepare for the surgery.

"For three months, it was all bad news," said Brandon. "Then, these doctors said they're positive they can get me to walk again and they're not ruling out running. It felt good to hear that."

Along came St. Patrick's day, a day associated with good luck. On this day, just 4 months after he wa told he would never walk again, Brandon underwent reconstructive surgery. Dr. Albright and Price took bone from Brandon's hip and used it to cover the hole where his ankle bone used to be. A metal plate and two screws were used to hold the bone in place until the new bone could grow and fill in the gap.

Last month Brandon had a follow-up visit at Arnold Palmer Hospital and x-rays showed that the surgery was working. Brandon was cleared by his physicians to start applying 50% of his body weight on his new ankle. Within a few more weeks, Brandon should be able to lose his crutches -- a whole new take on celebrating freedom.

"I don't know how fast or how good I'll be next year," Brandon said. "At this point, I couldn't ask for more than walking, but if I get to run again, it'll be a miracle."

The family wants to show it's appreciation by donating to the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation. Richards is in the process of organizing a run-a-thon or road race, with proceeds going to the Foundation. "It's a wonderful place down there (at Arnold Palmer Hospital) and it'd be nice to give back," Richards said.

(A portion of information in this story came from articles printed in The Flint Journal.)