Dearest friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

We are reaching out to you with an update on our son Robbie and to share where his journey has brought us since we first created this fundraiser.

Robbie is now 6 years old and continues to show incredible strength and resilience while living with a rare childhood bone disease affecting his hip.

When we first shared Robbie’s story, we had no idea how long and difficult this road would be. Thanks to the incredible generosity of friends, family, and compassionate strangers, we have been able to get Robbie the medical care he desperately needed. Your support has truly carried our family through some of the most difficult moments of our lives.

We are so grateful for every donation, message, and share.

Robbie’s Diagnosis

In November of 2024, Robbie began limping without any known injury. What initially seemed like a minor issue quickly became something much more serious. After medical evaluation and x-rays, Robbie was diagnosed with Perthes disease, a rare condition that causes avascular necrosis of the hip.

This means the blood supply to the head of his femur was interrupted, causing part of the bone to die. The cause of this disease is still unknown, and unfortunately there is no cure. Treatment focuses on keeping the femoral head properly positioned inside the hip socket so it can heal and reshape as a child grows.

X-ray taken in November of 2024

The Necessary Treatment

Surgery #1 - December 2024

Robbie’s first surgery took place in December of 2024 at the Kapiolani Women and Children’s Hospital. During this procedure, a tendon was surgically released to help loosen his hip and improve its position.

Immediately following surgery, Robbie was placed in Petrie casts (full leg casts on both legs connected by a bar). These casts held his hips in the correct position to help keep the femoral head contained within the socket.

For four weeks Robbie was completely non-weightbearing and relied entirely on a wheelchair. This period required constant care and assistance. Because of the cast bar, he could not fit through standard doorways or safely ride in our vehicle, so we needed to rent a van for transportation to medical appointments.

Dillon and I had to take time away from work during this period to help care for Robbie during his recovery.

Picture depicting Petrie casts used following surgery #1

After Robert's cast removal, he could not bend his knees for two weeks, which required much of the same care as when he had the casts on.

Surgery #2 – May 2025

Unfortunately, follow-up x-rays in February of 2025 showed that Robbie’s hip was beginning to fragment and lose containment.

X-ray taken February 20th, 2025.

Robbie then underwent a much more invasive procedure called a femoral varus de-rotational osteotomy. During this surgery, doctors cut and reshaped his femur to better position the femoral head inside the hip socket. The bone was stabilized using metal plates and screws.

X-ray taken May 20, 2025, following his femoral osteotomy

Recovery from this surgery was long and difficult. Robbie had to slowly learn how to walk normally again and went through months of healing and careful monitoring.

Throughout it all, Robbie has remained incredibly brave and positive.

Where We Are Now

Robbie’s journey is not over yet.

His next surgery is scheduled for May 7th, 2026 at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Honolulu with Dr. Pellet and Dr. Izuka. This procedure will remove the metal hardware that was placed in his femur during the osteotomy.

X-ray taken November 2025, showing bone re-growth

We will travel to Oahu on May 6th for Robbie’s pre-operative appointment, with surgery taking place the following day.

After this surgery, Robbie will face another long recovery period and will need to relearn how to walk comfortably again. Doctors estimate that this process could take several months.

Even after recovery, Robbie will continue to need long-term monitoring throughout childhood to ensure his hip continues to develop properly.

He likely will not be cleared for running and jumping activities until around age 10, but Robbie has adapted incredibly well and continues to find joy in the activities he can do.

How Your Support Has Helped

The support we have received so far has helped us manage many of the unexpected challenges that come with Robbie’s condition, including:

• Medical copayments and hospital costs

• Wheelchair and recovery equipment

• Travel between Maui and Oahu for specialized care

• Flights, lodging, and ground transportation for surgeries and appointments

• Rental van during Robbie’s casting period

• Post-surgery medical supplies

• Lost wages while we care for Robbie during recovery

Your kindness has made an enormous difference for our family.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for Robbie’s upcoming surgery and recovery, we are once again facing travel expenses, medical costs, and time away from work so we can care for him during healing.

Any support you can provide, whether through a donation or simply sharing Robbie’s story, means more to our family than words can express.

Robbie is a bright, joyful, and incredibly strong little boy. We remain hopeful that with continued treatment and care, he will be able to live a happy and active life.

From the Bottom of Our Hearts

Thank you for standing beside our family during this journey. Your generosity, compassion, and encouragement have helped us more than you know.

We truly could not do this without the support of this amazing community.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Luz Maria & Dillon Deardorff

Mother & Father of Robbie