West St. Paul 9-year-old named ‘national champion’ by Children’s Miracle Network
A West St. Paul girl was named a “national champion” last week by the Children’s Miracle Network for overcoming the challenges she has faced growing up without arms.
Nine-year-old Ruth-Evelyn Pranke was born with amelia, a condition that results in underdeveloped or missing limbs. In Ruth-Evelyn’s case, the condition affected both of her arms.
With the help of physical and occupational therapists at Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, she has learned to do everything — drawing, getting dressed, swimming — with her feet, according to a news release issued by the Children’s Miracle Network.
CMN also bought Ruth-Evelyn a custom bicycle outfitted with prosthetics, which attach to her shoulders and allow her to ride independently.
“It’s no surprise Ruth-Evelyn got the hang of it pretty quickly,” CMN said in its March 23 announcement.
Ruth-Evelyn and her parents, Cory and Karlyn Pranke, were among 11 families recognized this year by CMN for their perseverance and “dedication to pay it forward,” the news release said.
“All of these families are unified around a mission to raise awareness and funds for our member children’s hospitals across the country, who’ve been on the frontlines of the pandemic for more than two years,” CMN Hospitals CEO Teri Nestel said in her organization’s release. “Kids can’t wait until the pandemic is over. It’s time to prioritize our children’s hospitals and support them in their struggles to continue to provide high quality, compassionate care for children.”
CMN is a nonprofit that raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.
