Support Ruby Jean's Surgery & Rehab Journey

Ruby is a vibrant young girl who loves art, legos, swimming, the beach and so many other things! Despite her passion for these activities, she faces significant challenges due to cerebral palsy with right side hemiplegia. As many of you know, Ruby will not let any of this hold her back! She is a sweet, affection and caring girl that brings a smile to so many that know and love her! Most would never know from her persistence and cheerful demeanor that she experiences pain. To improve her quality of life, Ruby needs major surgery to reconstruct her right foot with tendon transfer, fractional lengthening and removing a wedge of bone. If you thought that was enough, during the same surgery they will place a rod in her right femur and rotate her femur into alignment. Ruby will be in patient at Shriners in Greenville, SC for 3 days before we will make the 5-hour drive carefully home. Ruby will spend 8 weeks in a full leg cast, non-weightbearing in a wheelchair. This surgery is crucial for Ruby's gait and to hopefully alleviate her pain, improve her posture alignment, and enhance her ability to walk and run. It will also help mitigate future orthopedic complications, allowing her to pursue her interests with greater ease and joy. The procedure is complex, but it offers hope for a brighter, more active future for Ruby!

The medical costs associated with this surgery are significant and present a financial hardship for her family. Though Dominica has insurance through her employer the out of pocket remaining deductible is $12,661.71. In addition, the surgery is "Out of Network" and only covered at 50%, the Anesthesia provider is separate from the hospital and will bill separately. There are wheelchair rentals, trips back to Greenville (5 hrs each way), 1 week of accommodations in July for intensive physical therapy in Greenville. Not to mention COUNTLESS physical therapy appointments upon return home with co-pays. There are SO MANY other things to add to this, but it is overwhelming to look at the whole "picture" all at once.

As Dominica's sister and Ruby's auntie I am asking friends, family and community to support Ruby and Dominica in this journey. Your contributions will help cover the medical expenses and ensure Ruby receives the care she needs. Together, we can help Ruby embrace life with more freedom to enjoy the activities she loves. So many of us all love Dominica and Ruby dearly. Please pray for this next journey (Surgery is 5/27/25) and thank you from the bottom of our entire family's heart for helping in any way that you can!

Much love and many thanks,

Courtney LaMountain (Dominica's sister/ Ruby's Auntie)

UPDATE: Surgery Day 5/27/25

Arrival 6:00am, Pre-op 6:30-8:14am

IV, Anesthesia, Epidural placed and Surgery began about 9:00am. Foot surgery with tendon lengthening, muscle lengthening, tendon transfer with it inserted and “buttoned” through the bottom of her foot, plantar fasciitis release. No bone shaving needed! Yay!….operating room contacted Dominica foot surgery completed and working on Ruby’s femur at 10:42am which consisted of placing a rod and 3 pins. 11:40am they were finishing up head to medical consult room to meet with surgeon. Ruby in recovery and brought to

her room 12:45pm…team of 6 getting her settled…Ruby is in her room!! .

The awesome news:

*Only 6 weeks in a cast instead of 8 weeks.

*she will be walking before she leaves

*she will have physical therapy started before she leaves here!

1:20pm. Visit from ortho for cast measuring.

1:30pm Awards assembly at school and was told Ruby was awarded “Most Outstanding Student for Social Studies”.

We are all ready for a nap!