Everyone has to ultimately make life-changing decisions. Those come earlier for some than others. March 1, 2013, student Micah Friesen, who was only 8 at the time, made the decision to undergo amputation surgery for his left leg due to a bone deficiency.

Born with one leg growing at a slower rate than the other, almost a 9-11 cm discrepancy between the two legs, the family knew they would eventually have to make a decision. His bravery going into surgery inspired many, and his journey since proved equally as impressive.

Though the family struggled with the prep of surgery, the surgery itself and the road to recovery, their trust in God helped them get through everything. Kori Friesen, campus history teacher and also Micah’s mom, says she wanted her son to experience everything he wanted to in the days coming up to the surgery.

“We wanted Micah to be able to have the best time possible before his surgery,” Kori said. “We were able to take him to San Diego for a week, go with our school to Discovery Kingdom for our schools Sadie Hawkins. We also celebrated at Metal Mark rock climbing, and did a bunch of get-togethers.”

However shortly after all these events, the family had to go through with the surgery itself. Micah was taken to Shriner’s Northern California Hospital in Sacramento, this year voted the best pediatric hospital in the U.S. for 2014. Micah spent three days, July 16-18, in the hospital undergoing surgery, until in a stable enough condition to leave the hospital.

Upon Micah’s homecoming, the family immediately received support from the community. The Friesen family arrived home to a house covered with decorations, posters and balloons on their garage doors to celebrate Micah’s return. This homecoming was followed up with a class party five days later.

Despite the support from the community, the recovery at home still proved very difficult. One of the hardest things for the Friesen family to deal with were the phantom pains.

Phantom pains are neurological factors a person experiences after an amputation or loss of limb. While the body has physically lost a limb, the brain has not fully realized it. Phantom pains are when the brain gives the body the sensation of still having a leg and foot, even though they are no longer there.

Micah wore his full leg cast for six weeks after returning home. Gifts and letters of encouragement were sent in the mail every day through his healing. These greatly helped both the family and Micah to feel supported. Community support was overwhelming.

“This journey has opened so many opportunities for us we could have never known otherwise,” Kori said. Keith Gabel, the bronze medal winning Paralympic snowboarder for the U.S. Team has come alongside as a mentor for Micah during this time. Keith was introduced through chance as he was vacationing in the same resort as Micah’s grandparents. We’ve even been invited to visit the Olympic training facilities in Colorado Springs, CO.”

After wearing the cast for six weeks, Micah was very excited to get it off. Removing the cast became a very difficult emotional experience that was not anticipated. The visual reality finally set in that he would never again have a leg. Yet through all this, Micah never let it hold him back from activities.

Days later he began to go swimming again. Fishing, dirt biking and off-roading were also some of his summer activities. Doctors were amazed at his quick healing and tenacity.

The next step was to create his new artificial leg. Shriners Hospital prosthesis department, worked hard to complete a leg that was perfectly sized by his birthday. When Micah got his leg, on his birthday, he didn’t exactly like it at first. The belief that his new leg would allow him to do anything didn’t match what he saw in the box.

“When I first got my leg, I didn’t like how it looked,” Micah said. “I was afraid the other kids were going to think it wasn’t cool and make fun of me. But now I actually like it and don’t mind wearing it. I’m getting used to it now and it’s starting to feel more like a part of my body.”
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Despite all this, the one thing Micah wanted most was to be able to play soccer again. However with an estimated three months before he would be able to run and play, things weren’t looking good. On Sept. 13, Micah once again defied the odds.

After only three weeks on his new leg, Micah lead the team on the soccer field. He didn’t miss a single practice. Cristina Saelzer, a mom of one of Micah’s teammates, was inspired to see Micah playing with the rest of the team so soon.

“It was so great to see Micah playing,” Saelzer said. “After the game I asked my son what his favorite part of it was, and he told me, ‘It was getting to see Micah back on the field dribbling the ball. After watching all the struggles he’s been through and seeing that he hasn’t let it get to him was truly inspiring.”

There have been many adjustments in the Friesen household since Micah’s surgery. When rushing out of the house in the morning, it is common for Kori to say things like grab your backpacks, put on your leg, let’s go.

“One day Micah was late to school because he misplaced his leg and could not find it,” Kori said. “We just have to laugh about it all.”

Micah hopes he can one day write a children’s book about his experience. The Friesen family, and Micah himself, want to thank everyone for all their support. The Friesen family hopes to be able to host events to give back to Shriner’s Hospital, a non-profit surgical center that takes in anyone in need of help.

For more information on Micah’s story, check out Kori’s blog.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @JustinHFeather.

For more features, read the Sept. 26 article, Chapel features modest fashion show, dress code.