Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The heartwarming video of a 2-year-old amputee walking for the first time made headlines Monday.
Kayden Elijah Kinckle of New Jersey was born with omhalocele — a condition where organs remain outside the body during development — according to a GoFundMe page* started by his mother, Nikki Sessoms. The umbilical cord had also wrapped around his feet and legs while he was in the womb, leading to deformity.
Doctors told Sessoms that Kinckle likely wouldn't survive and recommended that she terminate the pregnancy, according to CBSNews.com.
However, Kinckle defied the odds and after having his right foot and left leg amputated in January, he recently learned to walk with the aid of prosthetics and a walker. The toddler excitedly yelled, "I got it!" with each step he took in a video posted on YouTube Monday.
Simmons created a fundraising account in the hopes of paying for physical therapy visits, leg braces, prosthetics and outstanding medical bills. The family also wants to send Kinckle to a camp in Atlanta for children with prosthetics, according to the GoFundMe page.
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.