Perthes Kids Foundation aims to raise global awareness for children and families surviving Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, in addition to developing research grants for new treatment methods, providing support for families, and promoting activities for children dealing with the disease.
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Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is a degenerative hip bone disorder (osteochondritis) that makes it painful to walk. It may not be life threatening, but it is life altering. As a child survivor of Perthes Disease, I spent a majority of my childhood in a cast, leg braces, and in a wheelchair. But I marched on through life to do amazing things despite my early physical challenges... like going on national TV and winning CBS' Survivor: Fiji in 2007, when I became the first unanimous winner in the history of the show, and which I dedicate my perseverance, humilility and determination to my experience with Perthes, first and foremost.
With great support from my family and friends I've never let Perthes defeat me as an individual. It is that support that also inspired me to establish Perthes Kids Foundation, to give back to families around the world dealing with Perthes Disease. Perthes Kids Foundation aims to raise global awareness for children and families surviving Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, in addition to developing research grants for new treatment methods, providing support for families, and promoting activities for children dealing with the disease.
As the disease is typically found in 1 out of 12,000 children between the ages of 3-12, providing a support network for these children early on is critical. And so we started Camp Perthes, a one-week, overnight camp for boys and girls between the ages of 7-13, which just ended its third run. The Camp, which takes place in Florida, is the first and only of its kind in the world, and aims to promote confidence skills, social development, education and therapeutic activities where kids with LCPD can meet each other, in a fun and safe environment. Families travel from other countries just to attend. That's why, due to demand, we are organizing a Camp Perthes in Australia and the UK.
It is my hope that we can all connect with one another, help support each other and share our stories. Let's keep our kids inspired!
To learn more about Perthes Kids Foundation, I invite you to visit our website and Like us on Facebook.
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