Hunter is now 8 years old and preparing for his 13th surgery, which will take place shortly after his 9th birthday.

When Hunter was born, we learned he was missing a significant portion of his left femur — about one-third of the bone — along with no left hip socket, no kneecap, and several other skeletal differences. Over the years, he’s undergone multiple major procedures to give him the best possible chance to walk, grow, and live without pain.

Unfortunately, his previous hip reconstruction has failed, and his hip is now slipping out of socket. This surgery is our last chance to stabilize his hip so that he can move forward with the limb-lengthening procedure he’s been working toward for years. Without a stable hip and knee, limb lengthening simply isn’t possible.

This surgery will take place in Florida and requires us to be there for about three weeks for the operation and intensive daily physical therapy. Because Florida Medicaid doesn’t accept Idaho Medicaid, his supplemental Katie Beckett insurance won’t apply, leaving us responsible for our $4,000 deductible and $8,000 out-of-pocket maximum while we’re away.

In addition to medical costs, we’ll be facing travel and recovery expenses — flights, lodging, food, transportation, daily PT, boarding our dogs, and lost income while we’re away and during the 9-week recovery period at home, where Hunter will have strict weight-bearing limits and require daily care.

We estimate the total cost for this next stage to be around $25,000.

This surgery represents the next crucial step in Hunter’s long fight toward being able to stand, walk, and play like other kids his age. Every bit of support helps us stay by his side and get him one step closer to that goal.

We also want to say — sincerely — that none of this journey has been faced alone. The generosity, kindness, and encouragement we’ve received over the years have carried us through moments that could have broken us. The help we’ve already been given isn’t small; it’s the reason we’ve made it this far. From our hearts, thank you for continuing to believe in Hunter and in his future.