Alecs Osteogenesis Imperfecta Journey

Jul 22, 2024

Alec doesn’t let anything keep him on the sidelines.

He was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, a genetic bone disorder characterized by fragile bones that can frequently and easily break. He began receiving care at Shriners Children's Chicago in 2002 and has made progress through advanced treatments. He now plays wheelchair sports, appears on television and attends college. He embodies the hope and confidence families and children find at Shriners Children's.

Alec's Story

Alec, a young man with osteogenesis imperfecta, has been receiving care from Shriners Hospitals for Children since he was a baby. Despite breaking over 60 bones in his lifetime, Alec maintains a positive attitude and has achieved significant life milestones, including attending the Super Bowl and graduating from high school. Shriners Hospitals have not only provided Alec with physical care but also emotional support, making the hospital a family to him throughout his life.

View Transcript

Speaker 1:

You probably recognize Alec from all the Shriners commercials.

Alec:

Hey, I'm Alec.

Speaker 1:

What's it like to be famous?

Alec:

This is a place-

Speaker 1:

I think that you have more time on TV than some of our anchors here at Channel 4.

Alec:

I don't think I'm famous. I think the only reason why I'm recognizable is because Shriners Hospitals for Children provide such great care for kids all over the nation. And if Shriners Hospitals for
Children wasn't a good hospital, then nobody would know who I was

Speaker 1:

That care for Alec started when he was a baby almost 18 years ago.

Alec:

I have osteogenesis imperfecta, which is also known as brittle bone disease. I've broken over 60 bones in my lifetime.

Speaker 1:

And he added one more earlier this year.

You broke your leg in March, and then the pandemic hit. So 2020s been a whammy for you too, huh?

Alec:

Well, actually, it's been a pretty good year for me. Earlier this year I went to the Super Bowl. In June I graduated high school. So yeah, there have been it ups and downs, but I like to think positivelyas much as I can.

Speaker 1:

That positive attitude partly comes from the people at Shriners.

Alec:

They make sure that you're physically able to do what you want to do. But along with that, they make sure that you're emotionally confident in what you can do. Shriners Hospitals for Children has
been a family to me my whole life.

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