Spencer Bilbo’s Left Leg

I had a long conversation with Mr. Spencer Bilbo while we stood on his front porch. He was 6 years old and I was 50 but he didn’t mind. After some serious talk about Papa’s oyster-shell mulch and how awfully long 6 years is; he looked over at me and noticed my cell phone.

Spencer-   “Are you video-ing me?”
Me-   “Yep, so I can watch later when I’m missing you”
Spencer-   “OK...um...if you’re gonna be watching this later then…I guess I’ll say...(quietly) I love you”
Me-   “could you repeat that? Only this time, louder!”
Spencer-   “I LOVE YOU!” (Giggles)

I knew right then, despite that sarcastic charm, Mr. Spencer had an even bigger heart than I originally suspected.

We love that big ‘ole heart of his and we want to raise some money for him and his left leg.


At just a few months old, doctors diagnosed Spencer with CFD (Congenital Femoral Deficiency).  

CFD is a rare birth defect characterized by a short femur, associated with hip, knee, 
and ankle deformity and instability.  The affected limb does not grow properly.  
The cause is unknown.  As the patient ages, the discrepancy between the two 
limbs will continue to increase. 

As Spencer grows, that left leg gets left behind so to speak. 

Amputation or no surgical correction are still common options for children throughout the world, including the US.  Currently, Dr Dror Paley is the most experienced CFD surgeon in the world. The Paley Institute in West Palm Beach Florida performs these limb saving surgeries for kids from all over the globe.  Paley patients and their families commit to the lengthy process of correction and healing and endure hardships for years in order to achieve success.

Spencer and his family sought help from Dr. Paley in 2017 where an initial plan was developed. The family has traveled to the Paley Institute four times for consultations, onsite physical therapy and two surgeries to reconstruct Spencer's hip and knee. Both surgeries were necessary before proceeding with lengthening. They are hopeful that the entire process, including lengthening and possible ankle reconstruction, can be completed with two more surgeries.  Spencer is halfway there. He has faced all of it with courage, humor and understanding. He knows there is still more to do. 


The next two trips will be different though. These visits will require difficult surgeries, detailed follow-ups, and extensive on-site rehabilitation. Spencer, his sister, and his mother will have to live on-site at the Paley Institute for 3 to 4 months while Dad is away at work.

Spencers parents and those like them push themselves to physical, emotional and financial limits for the love of their child. We all would. When you love your child there is no limit for you, except sometimes the financial limit. My sister and brother-in-law have planned and prepared as much as possible. Despite these efforts, the costs of back-to-back surgeries and lengthy hospital stays add up.  Between loss of time at work, travel expenses, onsite lodging, non-covered medical bills, and months of physical therapy not covered by insurance the financial snowball is growing.

We would like to help his parents who have so far been handling this on their own. We hope to ease the financial burden going into this next surgery through a 'Go Fund Me' campaign.  We would be most grateful for your prayers and your donation of any amount.

Lets help Mr. Spencer and that left leg of his.
                                                                          
Thank-you for your support!
#spencersleftleg