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Health & Fitness

Shriners Hospital Patient Pedals 250 miles in tribute to his "Foundation"

Ten years ago, cyclist Brett McMullin chose to have a surgery that changed his life. Last week, he rode his bicycle across an entire state in honor of Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Ten years ago, cyclist Brett McMullin chose to have a surgery that changed his life. Last week, he rode his bicycle across an entire state in honor of that monumental change.

 

Born with clubfoot and missing the fibula in his right leg, Brett’s hometown doctors in Kansas told his parents they’d have to amputate his right leg and that he would never walk unaided. But Brett, encouraged by his persistent father, brushed aside that negativity and proved the doctors wrong. Through his own youthful will, he went on to walk and play sports such as basketball, track, and football.

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“It was hard and sometimes very painful,” he said. “But my dad encouraged me every step of the way.”

However, by the time he entered 9th grade, Brett’s right leg was a full 2 inches shorter than his left, causing him tremendous pain and difficulty walking, let alone playing the sports he loved. This time, his doctors recommended his parents take him to the expert pediatric orthopaedic specialists at Shriners Hospitals for Children – St. Louis.

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Brett knew his family had found the right place when his surgeon, J. Eric Gordon M.D. told him that following surgery, he would be able to walk in six weeks.

“All of my previous doctors said I wouldn’t walk at all,” says McMullin. “Dr. Gordon was incredible, and the therapists at Shriners encouraged me and inspired me.”

Last week, Brett, driven by a need to give back to the hospital that gave him so much, rode his bicycle 250 miles across the state of Missouri, with the final destination of Shriners Hospitals for Children – St.  Louis.

The expert treatment, encouragement, and support he received
from physicians and employees at the hospital inspired him to ride the Katy
Trail across Missouri to St. Louis. The ride, envisioned as a tribute to the
hospital, was a way for Brett to say thank you to the physicians and employees who treated him.

 “I love to be active, but I really love to ride my bike,” he said. “Being able to ride a bike that distance is a testament that we all can do whatever it is we put our minds to.”

Brett’s brother Jason joined him for the 5-day trek, which proved to be more of a challenge than either originally thought. Thorns from brush along the trail punctured their tires; Jason received injuries from a bicycle wreck; the muscles in the leg Brett had surgery on became sore; and the two even rode through a storm that caused damage to the St. Louis area. Although they faced challenges along the journey, they persevered and were met with relief and joy when they pedaled up hospital driveway Wednesday, September 26, where staff members and Shriners cheered them to the front entrance.    

After taking a moment to catch his breath and rest, Brett and his brother (along with Brett’s fiancé and Jason’s wife, who drove across Missouri in a pick-up and checked in on the guys to provide relief along the way) toured the hospital to reunite with the people who changed his life.

During the tour, he met with his core care team, Dr. Gordon and Care Coordinator Jill Hahn, RN.  The hallway in the busy Outpatient Department quieted for Brett as he reached out and shook his care givers’ hands in appreciation.

“I just wanted to say thank you,” he said.

After this touching reunion, Brett made time to give back to the hospital that has given him so much. Meeting with a group of current patients in the classroom, he shared his lifelong journey and story of determination. He showed the scars from his surgeries and the effects from having had clubfoot. He even explained how his friends and family called him “little foot” because his right foot was so much smaller than the left.

The patients laughed with Brett and proceeded to share their own nicknames as well. As he continued to share his story, he told of his “ups” and “downs” with the patients, encouraging them to never give up.

“Shriners fixed me when I was broken,” says McMullin. “And picked me up when I was down.”

Before departing, Brett presented several members of the staff with rocks he had taken from the base of a boulder, explaining that Shriners Hospitals for Children was the foundation of his life. A fitting souvenir, and a great daily reminder on the desks of many people about how much they change the lives of children every day.

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