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Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

Born with a rare birth defect in her left leg called Fibular Hemimelia with Congenital Femoral Deficiency, 3-year-old Kayla Brewer, faces her second surgery in March.

“Kayla was born without a fibula in her left leg and her femur and tibia in her left leg are shorter than the femur and tibia in her right leg — leaving her with about a 2 inch difference in her leg lengths,” said mother Janice Brewer. “She has a predicted leg length difference of about 6 to 9 inches at maturity if no surgery is done.”

Janice said when Kayla was first diagnosed they were given two options — amputation or limb lengthening.

“Of course, we chose limb lengthening because there was no way we were going to let anyone amputate,” said Janice. “The first surgery Kayla had was to straighten her tibia and correct the deformity in her little ankle. She is scheduled for her second surgery on March 20, which will be the first of several limb lengthening surgeries she will need.

“For this surgery, we will be traveling to Baltimore, Md., where Dr. Shawn Standard, of the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, will be performing her surgery at Sinai Hospital. After her surgery we will have to stay in Maryland for about three months for the lengthening process and for physical therapy.”

Sitting next to her mother alert and well-mannered, Kayla’s big blue eyes and her sweet little smile melts your heart as you think about the surgeries she will have to endure at such a young age.

“This family needs help from the people of Harlan County,” said Yocum Creek Fire Chief Royce Wynn. “They will have to pay for a room to stay in, gas there and back and groceries while they are in Maryland for three months. They will also need help paying for Kayla’s medications, because her medical insurance is not accepted at pharmacies in Baltimore.

Wynn said he is “challenging each and every fire department in Harlan County to match Yocum Creek Fire Department’s $100 donation to this family. When my son passed away nine years ago I saw so much love from the people of Harlan County. That is why I’m asking each person, if they are able — because I know everyone is seeing hard times, to donate just a few dollars, $5 even, to make this little girl’s life a little easier. We have all had kindness bestowed on us before and now is the time to pay it forward.”

Janice said she is a homemaker, caring for Kayla and her 14-year-old daughter, Jessica, who also has some health issues. She said her husband and the children’s father, Mike, works for the Black Mountain Utility District.

“I just want everyone to know any and all donations will be greatly appreciated and will be used only for this situation,” said Janice. “Our daughter is such a special little girl and with your help, and the Lord’s, we are trying to give her every opportunity to live a healthy and normal life. I’d like to also ask everyone to offer up a prayer for our little Kayla.”

Anyone wishing to donate to help this family may do so to by sending contributions to Mike and Janice Brewer at 80 Aspen Lane, Evarts, Ky. 40828 or Commercial Bank at 2320 South U.S. 421, Harlan, Ky. 40831, depositing it in the Janice Brewer Special Account.

You may also contact the family at 606-837-2537 or by email at mbjbbrew@windstream.net. The family may also be contacted on Facebook at Janice Brewer.

Donation jars have been placed at the Black Mountain Utility District Office, Track Side Market in Verda and Bear Ridge Market in Evarts.

The Brewers live at Brittains Creek.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@civitasmedia.com.