At the age of 15, Jordan White is excelling in the sport of archery. He has established himself as a world-class athlete and is now eagerly preparing to compete in the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympics.
“I’ve dedicated countless hours to my training, ensuring that I am fully prepared for what lies ahead. Now, it’s time to embrace the moment, let loose, and see where this journey takes me,” he proclaimed confidently.
In 2009, White embarked on a remarkable journey. Despite being born with congenital femoral deficiency (CFD), he was a healthy and joyful baby. However, he faced the challenge of overcoming this condition with the unwavering support of his loved ones. Alongside two other Paralympians, Arelle Middleton and Keegan Knott, White depends on the Paley Institute at St. Mary’s Medical Center for their ongoing care and treatment.
Dr. Claire Shannon, a specialist at the Paley Institute, emphasizes that families, like White’s, often find themselves grappling with the difficult choice of potential amputation.
According to her, individuals with this condition are born with a short and deformed leg, mainly affecting the femur or thigh bone.
According to Dr. Shannon, children with the disorder may experience different levels of severity, but all of them require long-term care throughout their lives.
“To reconstruct the bone and create a fully functioning hip joint, and then to address the significant leg length discrepancy, ensuring both feet are evenly grounded,” she explained.
According to Dr. Shannon, the process of lengthening occurs gradually, meaning that it takes around three months to gain five centimeters in the leg.
At 15 years old, White has undergone several procedures, but he remains grateful every day for the opportunity to demonstrate his exceptional skills in archery.
