Zoey Langley of Montz, a kindergartner at Norco Elementary, celebrated a milestone as she sat atop her new pink bicycle wearing her matching pink helmet at the New Orleans Saints training facility in Metairie last month.
The pink bicycle was a Christmas gift from Jon Stinchcomb and other Saints offensive linemen who formed OL4NO, a charitable foundation. During the Christmas holidays, OL4NO distributed 225 bicycles and helmets to children invited by nonprofit organizations throughout metropolitan New Orleans. Zoey was the guest recipient of Children's Hospital in New Orleans.
Zoey has Potocki Shaffer syndrome, an extremely rare chromosome disorder that can result in bone deformity. A year ago Zoey underwent surgery at Children's Hospital in New Orleans. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Heinrich redesigned both of her femur bones and her right hip bone. Zoey was in a body cast for three months after the surgery.
During her recovery, which included physical therapy three days a week for three months, Zoey learned to straighten her legs, crawl, pull up and walk the correct way, said her mother, Michelle Langley.
"The past year has been a difficult year for Zoey," Langley said.
During the summer Zoey was a team player in the St. Charles Recreation Department's Challenge Baseball program. At the season-ending game in July, Zoey shocked her parents when she leaped from her wheelchair on her own.
"From that point on she walked," Michelle Langley said. "She is doing wonderful and the Saints have been great."
Other Saints players on hand to lend their assistance and goodwill to the event were Jamar Nesbit, Jonathan Goodwin, Zach Strief and Tim Duckworth.
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Joy Hirdes can be reached at jhirdes@timespicayune.com or at 985.652.0950.
