Local youngster a CHAMP

Melissa Strle
Times Reporter

 

Three-year-old Colton Sheppard of Strathmore recently returned from The War Amps 2016 Western Child Amputee (CHAMP) seminar, held July 8-10 in Saskatoon.
Child amputees from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba converged for the three-day seminar to aid in supporting families and children facing this health challenge, and to mark the 70th anniversary of The War Amps Key Tag Service. This service provides major funding for The War Amps.
The seminar provided a wealth of information and classes for families including a class focused on how to handle other peoples’ reactions to a child amputee, and handling bullying, staring and teasing. The seminar also offered a chance for the Sheppard family to meet friends and garner support from others facing the same health challenges. Colton’s mom Chelsea Sheppard said this was very important to Colton and his family.
“We are pretty fortunate to have that support group” she said. “He just loves his buddies from CHAMPS.”
Colton is a typical three-year-old boy who loves to do all the things kids do, such as riding a bike or playing at the park. But Colton was born with a rare condition known as Adams-Oliver syndrome which stunts growth in different parts of the body. As a result, Colton was born missing parts of both feet along with an underdeveloped heart.
“It’s a lot to take in and it’s a lot of financial burden,” said Sheppard, who adds she remains very optimistic about the future.
Colton’s orthopedic surgeon put his family in touch with The War Amps when he was born and he was invited to his first seminar when he was eight months old. He just attended his third seminar this year.
“Colton is very lucky to have been set up with them so early,” Sheppard said.
CHAMPS provides financial assistance for artificial limbs and devices, and also provides for various medical related expenses families may incur.
Colton had his first open heart surgery at 23 days old and he is slated to have another surgery next year at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. He will need to have additional heart surgeries as he grows.
CHAMPS has also suggested that Colton have a growth reduction surgery on one of his legs when he’s 10 or 11 years of age, with the goal of making it easier for him to run, drive a car and do other activities. The family will be able to assess the risks and benefits of this type of surgery by following other amputees undergoing the same surgery.
Colton has been doing well and will be starting Hope Community Preschool this fall. Chelsea Sheppard is proud of her son. “He’s such an example of striving to be his best.” She added it is important for him to be accepted by his peers and the community.
The War Amps receives no government grants. Public support of the Key Tag Service and the Address Label Service generates funds for programs. The Key Tag Service started in 1946 and returns lost keys to owners by attaching registered key tags to key chains.