Support Elijah's Journey to Pain-Free Mobility

Help Elijah Walk Without Pain Again

Hi, my name is Angelica Mason, and I’m the proud mother of an incredible young man named Elijah.

Our journey began in 2021 when Elijah was involved in a traumatic accident and broke his right femur. He had to be care-flighted to Cook Children’s Hospital, where a skilled team placed a rod and screws in his leg to repair the break. But during that visit, we received unexpected news—Elijah was diagnosed with a rare condition called Perthes disease.

Perthes disease affects the hip in children, where the ball of the hip loses blood supply and begins to die, causing it to lose shape and function. At the time, we focused on healing his femur, and life moved forward. Elijah worked hard, got stronger, and even found a passion for football, proudly playing for Cooper High School.

But recently, the pain returned—worse than ever. Despite multiple visits to local bone and joint clinics and his pediatrician, we weren’t getting answers. We returned to Cook Children’s last week and learned the devastating news: Elijah’s Perthes disease has progressed significantly. At just 15 years old, he now faces the very real possibility of needing a hip replacement.

We’ve since been referred to a specialist and are now facing a long, difficult road ahead. Over the next few months, Elijah will undergo:

A hip injection to identify exactly where the damage is

A complex surgery to remove the femur rod and screws that were placed during his first surgery—something that typically isn’t done

A second, more intense surgery to attempt to reshape the ball of his hip

And if that’s unsuccessful, he will need a total hip replacement

Each appointment, surgery, and follow-up is at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth—over 2.5 hours from our home in Abilene. We will be making frequent trips, often requiring hotel stays after his procedures to avoid traveling while he’s in pain.

This journey is especially hard right now because Elijah’s 16th birthday is August 15th—and instead of celebrating the way any teenager should, he will most likely be spending that day recovering from his first hip injection.

As a single mother and Elijah’s sole provider, this situation has placed unexpected financial strain on our family. Many loved ones and friends encouraged me to create this GoFundMe, and while it’s hard for me to ask for help, I know I can’t do this alone.

All funds raised will go directly toward:

Travel expenses (gas, food, hotel)

Medical-related costs not covered by insurance

Support items Elijah may need during recovery (mobility aids, comfort items, etc.)

This has also meant that Elijah had to give up football, something that has been deeply painful for him. But through all of this, he remains strong, kind, and determined—just like he always has.

We’re leaning on faith and love through this journey. If you’ve read this far, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Whether you’re able to give or simply share this, it truly means the world to us.

With love,

Angelica & Elijah