Hi, we are the Gallentines. I'm Robert, my wife Nicole, son Joe, and our daughter (whom this is for) is Cassandra.

We found out recently that Cassandra needs reconstructive surgery on her knee to remove a plate that was put in two years ago. The plate, and the screws in it, are bent upward/downward at an extreme degree. The upper screw is now going through her good growth plate and into the back of her knee cap causing her constant pain. Instead of removing the screws next year we now have a month to get them removed or it will risk permanent damage to her knee and bone.

Cassandra was born with a leg deformity called "Postermedial Tibial Bowing". In a nutshell it's when your bone(s) don't have growth plates which leads to one leg being shorter than the other, at varying distances, and the bones without the growth plate(s) are bowed. Hers particularly is her right leg and ankle. It's roughly 3 inches shorter and her ankle is curved.

Unfortunately when it rains, it pours. Today my wife found out she is being let go from her job (because of downsizing). I work in Special Education so I'm currently out of work until September. We have no idea how we will cover the cost of the hotel for the better part of a week, and all the expenses we now have with medications/etc as Nicole's insurance now ends a week before the surgical date.

If you could please help us, even if by simply sharing this page it would be greatly appreciated.

- Rob & Nicole Gallentine

** I added a picture of one of her last x-rays to show what has happened with the screws. I also added another picture of what the concept is should do.**