If you would like to help an AMCer like this one, click here to donate to Helping AMC Families Incorporated
Ashton Slay
My age: Three
My favorite things to do: Go to the beach, play with monster trucks, go on walks, play with animals.
Number of siblings: None
Number of surgeries to date: Seven
Assistance provided: Helping AMC families has helped us order Ashton a wheelchair, pay off medical bills & lodging for our stay in Florida for previous trip & upcoming surgery in March.
A wheelchair, some medical bills, and a follow up appointment.
Ashton is a wild & loving three year old who loves being the center of attention! Ashton’s dad serves for the United States Navy and his mom has been a stay-at-home mother since Ashton was born, to make sure he is well taken care of and can get to all of his appointments.
Ashton’s club foot was found at the 20-week ultrasound and then the family was given a diagnosis of Arthrogryposis at the 24-week ultrasound. Ashton was born prematurely at 34 weeks via c-section after mom’s water broke unexpectedly! He weighed 4lbs 12.5oz at birth and was sent straight to the NICU where he had to stay for 20 days. Ashton was born with his legs crossed. His right leg was sticking straight up and he had slightly bent wrists. During this time, Ashton’s mom connected with other AMC moms on Facebook and had a plan all figured out for when he was released from the hospital.
After coming home from the hospital, Ashton had serial casting (rounds of repeat/subsequent casting to correct club feet) and his first tenotomy (ankle tendon release) surgery. Since then, he has had to repeat this process a few times due to growth and regression. In February of 2021, Ashton had the Feldman special (Dr. Feldman’s famous knee surgery down at The Paley Institute in West Palm Beach, FL). He also had a mid-foot/ankle osteotomy in March 2022 with Dr. Dobbs.
Ashton has now had a total of 7 surgeries in his 3 1/2 years. Recently it was discovered that he was born with both elbows dislocated and his right elbow is causing pain so surgery is most likely needed to correct that in the future.
This year, Ashton started Pre-K for half days and is absolutely loving it! He does have a speech delay, so being around other kids in a learning environment is helping improve his communication. Ashton’s favorite things are animals, monster trucks and playing in the water.
Helping AMC Families is providing Ashton’s family with $5000 of financial assistance. This will help in the month of November to cover an out-of-pocket co-pay for Ashton’s new wheelchair, pay off an outstanding balance at The Paley Institute, and assist with lodging for a recent follow-up trip back to Paley. The remaining balance can be utilized anytime before November of 2023 for any of Ashton’s future medical needs.
You can follow Ashton’s Journey at Aspiring Ashton on Facebook.
If you would like to help an AMCer like Ashton,
click here to donate to Helping AMC Families Incorporated
Nana : Would you rather be rich or kind?
– AMC Princess Ana & Nana
Ana : Kind
Nana : Why?
Ana : Because kind people do beautiful things.
