From Limitations to Limitless Possibilities: This is Blair's Story

“Blair is back to doing everything she loves and her confidence has completely transformed. ... Best of all, she's no longer hiding – she wears short sleeves and embraces all the things that make her uniquely Blair.” 

– Jessica, Blair's mom

Meet Blair

Blair is creative, artistic and loves to draw, ride her bike and swim. But for much of her life, simple everyday tasks felt like towering challenges. Blair was born with a rare condition called Madelung difference – her wrists curved outward, causing pain and limited movement which made basic activities incredibly difficult.

Things that others do without thinking like holding a fork, tying her shoes, brushing her own hair or turning a doorknob were frustrating for Blair. She wore long sleeves even in scorching temperatures, hiding her arms with oversized hoodies, even at pool parties in 105-degree heat. Over time, she stopped drawing, which was one of her favorite hobbies. And when Blair crashed into a fence because her hands couldn’t grasp the handlebar breaks in time, she gave up on one of her last favorite activities: riding a bike. 

Her condition had affected her confidence and her independence so much that her mom and dad, Jessica and Brandon, knew they needed to get Blair help. 

A Breakthrough with Specialized Care and 3D Technology

Determined to find the best care for their daughter, Jessica and Brandon turned to their pediatrician and began researching specialized surgical teams, and that is when she landed at Valley Children’s Division of Plastic and Hand Surgery.

“When Blair arrived, it was clear that on both arms, she would need bilateral corrective osteotomies of the radius and ulna – the two bones that make up her forearm,” shared Valley Children’s Pediatric Hand Surgery Program Director Dr. Michael Galvez. “This is a procedure we have completed before, but Blair’s case was much more complicated given how severely affected she was. For her, we used 3D planning technology to determine precisely where to cut the forearm bones in order to straighten them and get her hands in an improved position for function.”

The family met with the hand surgery team including Lauren Perry, nurse practitioner who assisted Dr. Galvez with this complex case, including coordinating and implementing the surgery.

“I had never even heard of 3D printing being used in surgery,” Jessica said. “They printed her exact radius and ulna, and showed us what the surgery would involve. We could see it. We could hold it. They even let us look at the hardware they were going to install and showed us how and where it would be placed. We knew this was a complex surgery, but Valley Children’s had a clear game plan that gave us confidence and peace of mind with what was ahead.”

3D surgical planning helped Dr. Galvez and the reconstructive surgery team prepare for Blair's surgery.
 

First Surgery: A Turning Point

In June 2023, Blair underwent the first surgery on her right side. Given the complexity of the surgery, the team operated on just one patient that day: Blair. The 3D printed templates were used to determine where each specific cut of bone would be, and where the metallic plates would lay to hold the bones together.

Upon being discharged from the hospital, Blair went home and soon began the road to recovery. She was followed closely by the plastic surgery team and was casted for a period of time. After casting, she required hand therapy, provided by multiple specialized hand therapists, and custom-made splints to provide protection and help with moving her repositioned wrists and forearms. Hand therapy was challenging, but her love of art became part of her healing. She practiced fine motor skills through drawing and building with Legos. Just three months after surgery, she was creating artwork again – she even gave one of her drawings to Dr. Galvez and the team as a thank-you.
 

Valley Children's occupational therapist and Hand Surgery Program team member Yvonne Morris works with Blair during a therapy session
 

A Second Surgery: Blair Rediscovered Joy and Confidence

The following April 2024, Blair underwent her second surgery, this time on the left side which required a similar level of coordination for 3D planning. The procedure was shorter, and thanks to her increased strength and pain tolerance, Blair’s recovery was smoother. She was discharged after just a few days and began hand therapy almost immediately. This time, progress came faster. Within two months, Blair was confidently using both hands and doing the things that she wasn’t able to do before surgery.

Today, at 13 years old, Blair lives a full life creating and playing without limitations. And most importantly, she is drawing, swimming, riding a bike and completing all the daily tasks that bring her joy and make her self-sufficient.

“Blair is back to doing everything she loves and her confidence has completely transformed,” shared Jessica. “Blair is independent now – she brushes her own hair and even cooks with the ability to turn on the burner, flip eggs and lift a pan all on her own. Best of all, she’s no longer hiding – she wears short sleeves and embraces all the things that make her uniquely Blair.”
 

Blair demonstrates how her movements differ from before the surgery to after.
 

No Longer Defined by Difference: Expert Care that Changed Her Life

Blair’s journey wasn’t just about physical healing — it was about restoring childhood. 

“From day one, I knew we were in the right place,” added Jessica. “From knowing that her surgeon and the team had performed this procedure before, to the careful planning and personal attention, and even the most precise stitching — they were truly available every step of the way, and I will always be grateful for that.”

“From having a detailed game plan, using breakthrough technology and following her closely after surgeries, we are very pleased with how we were able to help Blair as a team and how her family trusted us to take care of her,” added Dr. Galvez. “It truly is a tour de force of how we can provide comprehensive care — from our nursing, OR and occupational therapy teams. Blair’s story is one of how our entire hospital comes together to provide the best care. We are very grateful with how well she did and look forward to following her over time to see all the amazing things she will continue to do.”
 

Blair and Dr. Michael Galvez smile together during a follow-up visit.

Pediatric Hand Surgery Team Restores Form and Function

Valley Children’s Division of Plastic and Hand Surgery team offers dedicated pediatric hand and upper extremity care for children of all ages, from newborn to young adult. For congenital or acquired malformations of the hands and upper extremities, our experienced and multidisciplinary team can help restore form and function, and get kids back to the business of being kids. The team provides the most advanced surgical capabilities, including virtual and 3D-printed presurgical planning, for a wide range of conditions.

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