Saving Lorenzo's Legs . . .

Lidia and her partner Lenny have found themselves in one of the hardest situations a parent can imagine. Despite a completely healthy pregnancy with zero complications or warnings, their precious baby boy Lorenzo was born in April 2022 with a rare congenital limb deficiency known as Tibial Hemimelia.

In Lorenzo’s case, both tibias, kneecaps, and ankles are missing. This is the most severe form of the condition occurring in only one in five million births. Without the tibia, which is the larger, weight-bearing shinbone in the leg, Lorenzo would not be able to stand or walk. The diagnosis was devastating.

Doctors in Canada told Lidia and Lenny that amputation was the only option. But unwilling to give up, they researched tirelessly and traveled the world in search of answers. Their persistence led them to a specialist in Dubai who offered a different path: a series of complex surgeries that could save Lorenzo’s legs and give him up to 90% function.

This treatment requires the family to remain in Dubai, with Lorenzo undergoing multiple surgeries and daily therapy. The cost of medical care is approximately $1.5 million, none of which is covered by insurance. Time is critical, as treatment is most effective at a very young age.

Update from Lidia and Lenny . . .

We want to share some progress since our last update, as Lorenzo has already been through so much and he continues to amaze us every day.

When we first arrived in Dubai in February 2024, the focus was entirely on Lorenzo’s hips. For three months, he wore a cast to ensure proper alignment, protecting his future mobility.

Once that stage was complete, the doctors turned their attention to his legs. Because of the complexity and invasiveness of the treatment, the doctors made the difficult decision to focus on one leg at a time beginning with the right. Step by step, they carefully extended and rotated his right leg and ankle, using a fixator (an external frame adjusted daily) to guide the bones and joints into position. After several procedures, including one to fully rotate his foot and another to address the underdeveloped knee area, Lorenzo’s right leg is now fully straight.

Today, he attends daily physiotherapy sessions to strengthen the leg and learn how to use it through flexion and extension. His fixator is cleaned several times a week to avoid infection. While there have been challenges along the way due to his fragile bones, he continues to make progress and we are so proud to say we are halfway there.

The next step will be to repeat this entire process on Lorenzo’s left leg, which means many more surgeries, procedures, and months of therapy still ahead.

How you can help . . .

Lorenzo is a sweet, joyful little boy who has already shown incredible strength. With your support, he can take his first steps and grow up with the chance to walk, run, and play.

Every donation goes directly toward his medical expenses and therapies. Please consider donating and/or sharing this page with others — together, we can bring Lorenzo closer to his first steps.

With your generosity, we believe that by this time next year, Lorenzo will be walking.