December 2023 AMCer

Kori Mack is a vibrant outgoing 9-year-old girl born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, and the youngest of 6 children living in Southern California. Kori has three older sisters and two older brothers whom she loves dearly.

During her mom’s pregnancy, the doctors did not detect that Kori had the rare birth condition and therefore her parents received the news two days after her birth. Since that day, Kori has been on what her mom calls, a journey to run. Kori was born with her arms stuck straight and her legs bent like a paperclip. 

In the beginning of Kori’s journey, Kori’s mom sought out care from day one from her home state of Oklahoma and soon after traveling to Texas and Florida for the best specialized care. Since Kori was born, she has had a host of doctors and therapists leading to over 200 appointments in her first year of life. As Kori began to get older, she was unable to walk until she had surgery on her legs at the Paley Institute in Florida at the age of 4. It would take another 2 years for Kori to fully be able to use her legs for walking consistently. Kori became a full walker at the age of 6 years old, but still relied on a walker and hand-held support. At the age of 9, Kori can walk without her walker and only needs hand-held support intermittently or long distances, but still faces challenges on her journey to run. 

To date, Kori has had 12 surgeries that includes her legs, feet, wrist, arm and hips. Through these surgeries, Kori has been able to gain a sense of independence and maintained her vibrant positive personality that touches everyone she meets. Even with these surgeries, Kori still requires additional surgeries to address a limb length discrepancy that causes her to walk with a limp, and the limited mobility of her left arm and fingers on both hands. Kori’s next surgery will be in December of 2023 to address her limb length so that she is able to walk with a proper gate. 

Although born with such odds against her, Kori has always maintained a bright, upbeat attitude in everything she has faced. After turning 6 years old, Kori’s family was re-stationed to California by the military, which now required Kori to travel from California to Florida to continue her orthopedic care she received at the Paley Institute. At the age of 9, Kori has progressed so far on her journey to run. She is now a 3^rd grade outgoing little girl who loves school, gymnastics and has lots of friends. Even though Kori has limitations, she does not allow that to get in her way of having a fun enjoyable life. Kori loves to have playdates with many of her friends, create stories as if she was making YouTube videos, and be the center of attention. Kori has come so far on her journey to run and has no plans to stop without completing her journey.  

Helping AMC Families Incorporated is happy to assist Kori and her family with travel expenses related to her upcoming trip back to The Paley Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida to see Dr. Feldman for her next surgery.