Meet the 2018 Co-Captains...
Jordan Nerksi
Jordan is an 12 year old boy that fancies himself the neighborhood handyman. He’s often found helping his granddad out in the garage or any neighbor that needs help around the house or outside. He’s a very busy boy that loves to be active and helping others. He’s played soccer, Lacrosse, flag football with neighbors, baseball and would love to start Football in the fall. Jordan has been in Boy Scouts for the last few years and worked really hard to get his Arrow of Light patch.
He is a very driven little man and is one of those kids that has an old soul that is forever giving and loving. He would stay to help out rather than play with other kids and was seen more times last year at the Shrine Center than even some adults. Jordan also has a huge heart for anyone be it a baby or elderly person, he will make time for you. Some of his goals is to be become babysitter certified so he can watch kids at the Shrine Center for events, and to eventually become a Shriner. He’s waiting for the day he can join DeMolay. If he could find a way to volunteer at the Shrine Hospital every day, he would be there with a smile and a happy heart. He has made some good friends with past co-Captains and he’s excited to be a part of this process.
He is a very driven little man and is one of those kids that has an old soul that is forever giving and loving. He would stay to help out rather than play with other kids and was seen more times last year at the Shrine Center than even some adults. Jordan also has a huge heart for anyone be it a baby or elderly person, he will make time for you. Some of his goals is to be become babysitter certified so he can watch kids at the Shrine Center for events, and to eventually become a Shriner. He’s waiting for the day he can join DeMolay. If he could find a way to volunteer at the Shrine Hospital every day, he would be there with a smile and a happy heart. He has made some good friends with past co-Captains and he’s excited to be a part of this process.
Zachary Henneous
Zach is a typical 13 year old boy, full of energy and vivid imagination. He was born in Bend Oregon in the fall, almost 4 weeks earlier than his due date. He was fully developed, even with the known birth defect to his left leg, which was suspected to be PFFD in short, the technical long version being Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency. In this left leg, Zach had an underdeveloped femur and all joints (hip, knee and ankle) are deficient in some way.
Zach's parents sought out medical expertise for his leg immediately. Through a clinic held in Bend for Shriner's Hospitals for Children, Zach was referred to the Portland hospital and began his long relationship and wonderful care with Dr. J Ivan Krajbich. Zach has had 2 major surgeries including the Van Ness rotationplasty procedure to remove the knee in his left leg and rotate the lower portion of Zach's leg around. This gives Zach a backwards foot to fit into the prostetic leg. The prosthesis makes up the difference in leg length to the floor, while the ankle serves as left knee to provide a live joint of motion. The other major surgery was to correct the angle of Zach's left hip where the femur meets the hip "ball". The two minor surgeries have been another correction in the hip and to correct the rotation surgery as it began to move slightly back towards the front.
While Zach was little he did not know any different about what his body was like compared to other typical children. He went into the hospital full of wonder and expectation, not fearful of surgeries, as he did not know what was taking place. As he got a little older, he began to fear going into surgery. He was so scared before one of them the night before, that his mom promised to get him the tortoise he had wanted for so long if he could commit to being strong and brave and trusting God to bring him through. This deal made it easier for him and he bravely went, putting his body in the hands of God and the doctors.
Shriner's hospital has been one of the biggest pieces of Zach's life since his birth, and he loves to go there, thanks to the wonderful spirit of service and love bestowed to the children by all the staff, doctors, nurses and technicians who work there.
Zach has participated in wrestling for several years now, doing well and enjoying the sport. He swims, having to remove his prosthetic leg and get around with one shorter leg. He rides a bike without any special gear, and he roller blades. he is so fit and active and lives for fun. He is one of the most social boys you will ever meet, rarely turning up the chance to play and participate in any event he can be part of. Zach is a talker. He's ready to tell you about anything and everything. There are basically two speeds with Zach, wither full speed ahead, or sleeping. Zach has a strong sense of right and wrong. He hates bullying, and has a really tender heart for others. He loves to give gifts to people and truly has a spice for life all his own. Zach is really a gift himself to his family and friends.
Zach's parents sought out medical expertise for his leg immediately. Through a clinic held in Bend for Shriner's Hospitals for Children, Zach was referred to the Portland hospital and began his long relationship and wonderful care with Dr. J Ivan Krajbich. Zach has had 2 major surgeries including the Van Ness rotationplasty procedure to remove the knee in his left leg and rotate the lower portion of Zach's leg around. This gives Zach a backwards foot to fit into the prostetic leg. The prosthesis makes up the difference in leg length to the floor, while the ankle serves as left knee to provide a live joint of motion. The other major surgery was to correct the angle of Zach's left hip where the femur meets the hip "ball". The two minor surgeries have been another correction in the hip and to correct the rotation surgery as it began to move slightly back towards the front.
While Zach was little he did not know any different about what his body was like compared to other typical children. He went into the hospital full of wonder and expectation, not fearful of surgeries, as he did not know what was taking place. As he got a little older, he began to fear going into surgery. He was so scared before one of them the night before, that his mom promised to get him the tortoise he had wanted for so long if he could commit to being strong and brave and trusting God to bring him through. This deal made it easier for him and he bravely went, putting his body in the hands of God and the doctors.
Shriner's hospital has been one of the biggest pieces of Zach's life since his birth, and he loves to go there, thanks to the wonderful spirit of service and love bestowed to the children by all the staff, doctors, nurses and technicians who work there.
Zach has participated in wrestling for several years now, doing well and enjoying the sport. He swims, having to remove his prosthetic leg and get around with one shorter leg. He rides a bike without any special gear, and he roller blades. he is so fit and active and lives for fun. He is one of the most social boys you will ever meet, rarely turning up the chance to play and participate in any event he can be part of. Zach is a talker. He's ready to tell you about anything and everything. There are basically two speeds with Zach, wither full speed ahead, or sleeping. Zach has a strong sense of right and wrong. He hates bullying, and has a really tender heart for others. He loves to give gifts to people and truly has a spice for life all his own. Zach is really a gift himself to his family and friends.
