One Step at a Time
A N T H O N Y R A N K I N C O N Q U E R S I T A L L
By Andrea Nagel
In 2008,
the Festival of Trees dedicated its cause to children in the
community needing pediatric rehabilitation. That year, little Anthony Rankin
stole the hearts of Festival donors and the people of northern Idaho.
Anthony was diagnosed with Maffucci Syndrome, a disorder that causes
benign tumors to grow in his bones. At just 4 years old in 2008, the disease
created a length discrepancy between Anthony’s left and right legs. One limb
was more than 3 inches shorter than the other. Because of this, and pain from
the tumors, he had to undergo amputation surgery to remove his shorter leg.
Anthony also had tumors in his fingers that made it almost impossible to
hold a pencil to write or squeeze scissors to cut. Tumors in his knees prohib-
ited him from doing many of the things he yearned to do, like jump, run and
ride a bike.
Kootenai Health’s children’s services worked with Anthony through speech,
physical and occupational therapies to teach him how to walk with a prosthe-
sis, hone his speaking abilities and write like other children.
Now a third-grader, Anthony and his family live in southern California,
where he enjoys swimming, kickball and riding his scooter.
“Anthony is doing great,” his mother, Jessica, said. “He is busy as ever and
has no problems keeping up with other kids.”
Since his therapy at the McGrane Center, Anthony competed in the Koo-
tenai Health Triathlon for Kids and did the San Diego March of Dimes walk.
While Anthony does face some mobility challenges, Jessica said he never lets
his disease get in his way of doing what he wants.
“We don’t ever hold him back—he can do whatever he wants to do,” she
said. “I think being involved with the Festival of Trees and having that expo-
sure gave him a sense of acceptance, confidence and motivation. He does not
let his condition keep him from doing what he wants to do.”
Jessica remembers Anthony’s time and involvement at Kootenai Health
being challenging but rewarding.
“We feel like the pediatric services at Kootenai definitely impacted our
lives,” she said. “All their support before and after Anthony’s surgery, and
their love and care, made all the difference. It was as if they were family
supporting us.”
Now, as Anthony is learning to ride a bike and swim in the deep end with-
out a life vest, Jessica said she’s grateful for their experience with Kootenai
Health and being a part of the Festival of Trees.
“Being a part of the Festival was something we could do to help kids in
other families adjust to their new normal,” she said. “To make sure they
have access to the same care and support that we did. My favorite moment
was when a children’s choir was singing a song written for the event called
‘You Can.’ At the end Anthony ran out in front and yelled and pointed at the
crowd, ‘You can!’ Because of Kootenai he really can do anything now.”
For more
information about
Kootenai Health’s
pediatric therapy
program, visit
kootenaihealth.org/
pediatrictherapy.
Photo courtesy of Jessica Rankin
14
PEDIATRICS
