logo

Doctors reattach young cancer patient's amputated leg the wrong way around so she can dance again

Cheryl Kahla
Aug 28, 2018
11:28 P.M.

Gabi Shull's leg was amputated when she was nine years old, and she thought her dancing career was over.

Advertisement

A groundbreaking surgery changed her life. As reported by Pop Sugar Entertainment, the aspiring ballet dancer was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

It's a bone cancer that affects the knee and she was diagnosed after taking dance lessons for three years. Read more on our Twitter account, @amomama_usa.

The video detailing her road to recovery and career as a professional dancer can be seen below. Shull also explains the intricacies of the surgery in a video interview.

Advertisement

To keep her dream alive, a team of surgeons reattached her calf and foot to her upper leg by rotating it 180 degrees.

Even though her foot now faces backward, the ankle serves as a knee which gives her all the mobility she needs to be practically any type of dancer.

Advertisement

The now 17-year-old received a custom-made pointe foot two years ago which allowed her to dance on her tiptoes.

Apart from ballet dancing, Shull also does contemporary dance, jazz, tap-dancing and even hip-hop, proving that hard work, determination and access to cutting-edge technology pays off.

Advertisement

Dancing is her passion, and Shull hopes to inspire others to overcome whatever obstacles might be keeping them back from living life to the fullest.

She said: "What motivated me to walk was the thought of dancing again because I just wanted to dance."

Shull said that the surgery changed her life in ways she couldn't even begin to comprehend back them, adding that she "would never go back and change it."

Her mother Debbie also remarked that her family even forgets at times that she is wearing a prosthetic. The proud mother said "she has done so much more than anybody expected."

Dance can be very therapeutic, and the father of a 2-year-old leukemia patient knew that. Earlier this month, he surprised his daughter with a daddy-daughter dance in hospital.

The young girl has to undergo aggressive chemotherapy, and her doting dad knew that it was hard on the toddler to stay cheery despite it all. Read more about it here.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts

Boss Promoted Pretty Woman Over Me, I Decided to Seek Revenge

April 11, 2024

Investigation of Alleged Criminal Offense Against Princess Catherine Begins: Details

March 21, 2024

Princess Catherine Finally Seen in Public for the First Time since Undergoing Surgery

March 05, 2024

Observers Find 10 Signs That Suggest Princess Catherine's Cancer Announcement Video Is 'Not Real'

March 25, 2024

Princess Catherine Is Recovering from Abdominal Surgery in Cozy Cottage: A Rare Glimpse of the House

March 05, 2024

Eight Times We Saw Princess Catherine's Bandaged Fingers over the Years: Photos

March 11, 2024

Queen Camilla Was Seen with Trembling Hands – Inside Her Health Issues Ranging from Surgery to Broken Leg & Toe

May 04, 2024

'DWTS’ Derek Hough Showed Bath & Bedroom He Shares with Wife Who Fights for Her Life — Inside Their LA Home

May 02, 2024

Princess Catherine Beams with Her 3 Kids in First-Ever Official Photo since Her Hospitalization

March 11, 2024

'Little House on the Prairie' Star Melissa Gilbert, 59, Underwent Spinal Surgery — Fans Pray for Her Healing

March 04, 2024

Why Princess Catherine Felt it Necessary to Announce Cancer News Without Prince William

April 01, 2024

King Charles & Other Royal Family Members Affected by Cancer: 3 Have Passed Away

February 08, 2024

I’m a 91-Year-Old Queen – I Still Dance, Wear Skirts and High Heels

January 24, 2024

Kate Middleton Shares Photo of Her Daughter for Her 9th Birthday – Why Did She Break Tradition

May 02, 2024