Radiating Positivity: Elisabet's Story

Elisabet, 12, lights up every room she enters with her vibrant personality and bright spirit.

Elisabet was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic disorder that prevents the building of strong bones and affects between 25,000 and 50,000 people in the U.S.

Originally from Honduras, Elisabet and her mom made their first trip to Philadelphia in 2018 when she was just 5 years old. Now 12, Elisabet is learning how to thrive independently with the help of her multidisciplinary care team, including Sarah Nossov, M.D., Josh Pahys M.D., Scott Kozin, M.D., Eugene Park, M.D., Daniel Zlotolow, M.D., Sean Waldron, M.D., Mark Bulson, MPT, MHA, and Meghan Gossenberger, OT, MS, OTR/L.

While there is no cure for her condition, treatment for OI may include bracing, casting, surgery, physical therapy and occupational therapy, all of which Elisabet has received under one roof at Shriners Children's. 

Elisabet and her family could not be any more thankful for the specialized care she has received. To date, she has had eight surgeries, including procedures on her spine, arms and legs. For any patient, surgery and treatments can be scary, but, for Elisabet, she is less scared because her whole care team has made her feel safe and comfortable during every surgery and appointment.

“Shriners Children’s gives my daughter the confidence to be strong for her surgeries," said Elisabet’s mom. "She sets goals for herself at every appointment, and tracks how many steps she can take now at each physical therapy session."

“Elisabet has the uncanny ability to see obstacles merely as present conditions, which can be overcome. An obstacle, to Elisabet, simply highlights the opening to an alternate route to her goals. By focusing on the alternate route instead of the obstacle, Elisabet allows the pathway of possibility to grow while minimizing any obstacles. Elisabet’s hard work and dedication to her therapy allowed Elisabet to flourish and inspire others from her example,” said Bulson.

During her time at Shriners Children’s, she has enjoyed the many activities and programs provided by our child life and recreational therapy team, including art therapy, music therapy and holiday parties! Elisabet has many hobbies including singing, podcasting, coloring and scratch art, and when she grows up she hopes to become a graphic designer. While she will be heading back home soon, she will always be a part of the Shriners Children’s Philadelphia family.

“I need more fingers to count all of the good people that are here,” said Elisabet.