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In the summer of 1999, young Michelle Alcorn’s life was forever
changed when a bout with meningococcal septic shock resulted in the
tragic loss of both hands and feet. Aside from the severe emotional trauma
from such a loss, Michelle was unable to move a muscle without suffering
excruciating agony during her ordeal with the rare, rapidly spreading
bacterial infection. Each day since the teenager was ravaged by the devastating
illness she and her family have struggled with the heartbreaking
challenges they must face. After emergency treatment and surgery at
Memorial Hermann, Michelle moved to TIRR (the Institute for Rehabilitation
and Research) in the Texas Medical Center. TIRR is a not-for-profit
hospital, which accepted Michelle even though the family had no insurance.
Karen Ornsteen, OTR, and Teresa Cramer, MSPT, were Michelle’s
therapists at TIRR and worked under the direction of Pediatric Program
Director Dr. Kathryn Zidek. Through TIRR’s Amputee Program, Houston Children’s Charity learned of
Michelle’s need for artificial hands and feet, immediately “adopting” the teenager.
The work TIRR has done with Michelle includes upper body strengthening and stretching in
preparation for activating the upper extremity prosthesis provided by Houston Children’s Charity. Therapists
at TIRR worked with her to increase her independence in performing
activities of daily living with and without the use of the upper extremity
prosthesis - things we all take for granted like dressing, grooming, feeding
and writing. At TIRR they trialed different wheelchairs and worked on having
Michelle push a wheelchair to allow for increased mobility around her
home and in the community. Once her prosthesis arrived, the therapists
helped the technicians at Muilenburg Prosthetics with the fitting process,
working very hard with her on upper extremity prosthesis training with the
body powered myoelectric arms. The support of her family - her dad Rick
and mother Tammy, as well as sister Christyl and brothers Richard, Scott
and David, has been vital to her achievements in what have been tough
years for Michelle. This courageous, determined young lady has the spirit
to triumph over her tragedy. Houston Children’s Charity is proud to know
Michelle, and to have played even a small part in helping her to reclaim
her life.
In the summer of 1999, young Michelle Alcorn’s life was forever
changed when a bout with meningococcal septic shock resulted in the
tragic loss of both hands and feet. Aside from the severe emotional trauma
from such a loss, Michelle was unable to move a muscle without suffering
excruciating agony during her ordeal with the rare, rapidly spreading
bacterial infection. Each day since the teenager was ravaged by the devastating
illness she and her family have struggled with the heartbreaking
challenges they must face. After emergency treatment and surgery at
Memorial Hermann, Michelle moved to TIRR (the Institute for Rehabilitation
and Research) in the Texas Medical Center. TIRR is a not-for-profit
hospital, which accepted Michelle even though the family had no insurance.
Karen Ornsteen, OTR, and Teresa Cramer, MSPT, were Michelle’s
therapists at TIRR and worked under the direction of Pediatric Program
Director Dr. Kathryn Zidek. Through TIRR’s Amputee Program, Houston Children’s Charity learned of
Michelle’s need for artificial hands and feet, immediately “adopting” the teenager.