The young South African boy standing tall despite being born with short limbs
His story is an inspiring one, having been born with a rare genetic condition that crippled his limbs with a femur missing in his right leg but fighting the odds to excel.
Keenan Peterson was born in Johannesburg, South Africa but at a young age, his body could not hold. Peterson’s limbs made walking and standing difficult for him. Doctors told his mother Rowena Cohen that he may never be able to walk.
However, he managed to put himself together and walk with his available limbs, although on a steeply bent left knee.
With the efforts of Doctor Sietse Wouters, an orthopaedic surgeon at the Netcare Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg, Peterson has gotten better.
Through consultations and extensive research, Dr. Wouters found a way to improve Peterson’s situation.
The continuous bending caused positional scoliosis in Peterson. He had to go through multiple surgeries including a Steel’s Ilio-femoral fusion and a Syme amputation to be able to use a prosthesis and walk upright.
Today, the 18-year-old matric is living life normally, inspiring many through his story which signifies determination and resilience.
Peterson is an icon of hope today, using his testimony as a shining example for persons who may be facing challenging times because of disabilities.
“I see myself as differently-abled, and I never let it hold me back,” Keenan told South Africa’s Independent Online news portal.
