Meet Loralynn

Loralynn was born with a congenital hand condition in which the fingers of her left hand were webbed together and missing a thumb.

Loralynn's mother, Roxine, had no idea anything would be wrong with her precious bundle until the nurses hesitated to give Roxine her baby.

Already racked with emotions, Roxine grappled with both the excitement of a new baby and the fear of the unknown. Fortunately, she found Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital for her daughter.

During her six years at LAOH, Loralynn has had five surgeries, the most recent in June.

These surgeries separated her four fingers, and helped to make her index finger function like a thumb, giving her the ability to pinch and grab. Without these surgeries, Loralynn would never have been able to ride a bike, hold a pencil or grasp a fork.

A significant part of Loralynn's treatment plan has included our physical therapy department. There, she learns exercises to strengthen her left hand and practices accomplishing daily tasks with only four fingers.

Loralynn also relies on LAOH's Brace Fund, having worn hand braces throughout her treatment to help stretch the muscles in her hand and hold them in proper place as they grow. Each time she needs a new brace, doctors and physical therapists partner to custom design one that will meet her current treatment goals.

Now a sunny six-year-old, Loralynn participates in many enriching activities she would not have been able to enjoy without the care she received through the Pediatric Hand Clinics.

Her mother says, “While most children don’t want to go to the doctor’s, Loralynn loves her trips to Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital.”

Loralynn was recently featured in a video highlighting the work of Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital and how lives are changed every day called Portraits of our Work.

Since the filming of the video, Loralynn began to learn how to ride a bike--something her mother had once wondered if she would ever be able to do without being able to grasp the handlebars.

At Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital, we believe that all children deserve the opportunity to run and play, and we ask for your support. 

Help us give a child the chance at a life without limitations.