7-Year-Old Arlo Runs, Climbs After Rare Bone Condition

When Arlo was born with fibular hemimelia, a rare condition where the leg bone doesn't fully develop, his parents Emily and Tyler weren't sure their son would ever run. Today, the seven-year-old can't stand still.

Watch Arlo at Shriners Children's and you'll see him racing down corridors at full speed, his teal prosthetic leg propelling him forward. He calls his prosthetics "leggys," and every new fitting ends the same way: a test run through the hospital halls while his parents film the moment.

Emily and Tyler visited several hospitals searching for the right treatment path before finding Shriners Children's. The difference was immediate: doctors didn't just discuss surgery options, they asked the parents to imagine Arlo's future as a teenager and adult.

"We found so much more than exceptional medical care," Emily said. "We found people who have become part of our family's story."

At nine months old, Arlo underwent a Boyd amputation to remove the affected portion of his lower leg while preserving his heel. Three months later, he took his first steps with his first prosthetic, just before his first birthday.

Sunny's Take

What makes Arlo's story so moving isn't just his determination. It's watching a child who could have been defined by limitations instead define himself as "funny, crafty, nice, and a good friend."

His latest prosthetic leg features bright yellow ducks, his favorite animal. Beth English, his therapist at Shriners Children's, says Arlo doesn't walk into appointments anymore. He runs.

These days, those "leggys" take Arlo far beyond hospital corridors. He's mastering monkey bars at school and attending monthly climbing classes designed for kids like him. Recently, he scaled an 80-foot rock wall, reaching the summit and proving to himself he's "really good" at what he can do.

As Arlo starts second grade, there's no telling where his next adventure will lead, but his parents and care team will be cheering every step of the way.