<!--START JUICEBOX EMBED--><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><script src="/jbcore/juicebox.js"></script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->new juicebox({<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->baseURL: "/2018_Winners/Ratner/Unapologetically_Abby",<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->containerId: "juicebox-container",<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->galleryWidth: "100%",<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->galleryHeight: "100%",<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->backgroundColor: "rgba(34,34,34,1)"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->});<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><div id="juicebox-container"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- Image gallery content for non-javascript devices --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><noscript><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><h1>Unapologetically Abby</h1><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p></p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p><img src="images/1514-Ratner_Moriah_Unapologetically_Abby_1.jpg" title="" alt="At 13 months, Abby Anderson, 10, was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. Her ability to defy any limitations posed by her disability epitomizes perseverance through defeating stereotypes. Despite the frequent doctor’s visits, Abby’s courageous spirit admirably inspires those around her. Abby enjoys playing on the playground at ARISE at the Farm, an accessible, inclusive recreation center located on a horse farm in Chittenango, NY. ARISE at the Farm focuses on the needs and interests of individuals with disabilities in the Central New York region." /><br> At 13 months, Abby Anderson, 10, was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. Her ability to defy any limitations posed by her disability epitomizes perseverance through defeating stereotypes. Despite the frequent doctor’s visits, Abby’s courageous spirit admirably inspires those around her. Abby enjoys playing on the playground at ARISE at the Farm, an accessible, inclusive recreation center located on a horse farm in Chittenango, NY. ARISE at the Farm focuses on the needs and interests of individuals with disabilities in the Central New York region.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p><img src="images/1505-Ratner_Moriah_Unapologetically_Abby_2.jpg" title="" alt="The use of a wheelchair, braces, and a walker are necessary for Abby to achieve optimal independence and mobility. HKAFO, a hip-knee-ankle-foot-orthosis, helps Abby maintain an upright position while centering the knee joint. As a patient of Shriners Hospitals for Children in Montreal, these $8,000 braces are covered through the hospital." /><br> The use of a wheelchair, braces, and a walker are necessary for Abby to achieve optimal independence and mobility. HKAFO, a hip-knee-ankle-foot-orthosis, helps Abby maintain an upright position while centering the knee joint. As a patient of Shriners Hospitals for Children in Montreal, these $8,000 braces are covered through the hospital.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p><img src="images/1513-Ratner_Moriah_Unapologetically_Abby_3.jpg" title="" alt="The inclusive nature at Canastota Middle School allows Abby to participate in all daily activities and tasks. Abby's adoptive mother, Michele Anderson, pushed the school to accommodate Abby's needs through the placement of a disabilities program. Abby's favorite subject in school is chorus, where she can be seen belting out the tunes to her favorite songs, precisely knowing every single word." /><br> The inclusive nature at Canastota Middle School allows Abby to participate in all daily activities and tasks. Abby's adoptive mother, Michele Anderson, pushed the school to accommodate Abby's needs through the placement of a disabilities program. Abby's favorite subject in school is chorus, where she can be seen belting out the tunes to her favorite songs, precisely knowing every single word.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p><img src="images/1506-Ratner_Moriah_Unapologetically_Abby_4.jpg" title="" alt="Linda George, Abby's aide at Canastota Middle School, helps Abby complete an in-class assignment." /><br> Linda George, Abby's aide at Canastota Middle School, helps Abby complete an in-class assignment.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p><img src="images/1508-Ratner_Moriah_Unapologetically_Abby_5.jpg" title="" alt="Because her right leg is longer than her left, lifts were added to all of Abby's shoes. Each lift costs $180. Her parents must pay for this out of pocket." /><br> Because her right leg is longer than her left, lifts were added to all of Abby's shoes. Each lift costs $180. Her parents must pay for this out of pocket.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p><img src="images/1507-Ratner_Moriah_Unapologetically_Abby_6.jpg" title="" alt="Abby's adoptive mother, Michele Anderson, is a pediatric nurse at Interim Health Care. Michele's hands-on experience in the field puts her at an advantage as the primary caretaker for Abby. However, she is often left putting Abby's needs in front of her own. Because Abby cannot feel pain, the uncertainty of Abby actively and unknowingly using fractured bones worries Michele that her condition will worsen." /><br> Abby's adoptive mother, Michele Anderson, is a pediatric nurse at Interim Health Care. Michele's hands-on experience in the field puts her at an advantage as the primary caretaker for Abby. However, she is often left putting Abby's needs in front of her own. Because Abby cannot feel pain, the uncertainty of Abby actively and unknowingly using fractured bones worries Michele that her condition will worsen.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p><img src="images/1509-Ratner_Moriah_Unapologetically_Abby_7.jpg" title="" alt="Abby uses a nebulizer, which delivers Xopenex and Pulmicort to treat her asthma." /><br> Abby uses a nebulizer, which delivers Xopenex and Pulmicort to treat her asthma.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p><img src="images/1510-Ratner_Moriah_Unapologetically_Abby_8.jpg" title="" alt="Two years ago, bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) were surgically implanted into Abby's skull bone behind her ear, providing the transmission of sound via direct bone conduction. After turning on her BAHAs, Abby shrieks in pain from the feedback sound." /><br> Two years ago, bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) were surgically implanted into Abby's skull bone behind her ear, providing the transmission of sound via direct bone conduction. After turning on her BAHAs, Abby shrieks in pain from the feedback sound.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p><img src="images/1511-Ratner_Moriah_Unapologetically_Abby_9.jpg" title="" alt="Plates were surgically placed in Abby's right knee to stop the right leg from growing in hopes of the left leg catching up. The “guided growth” plate is a figure-eight shaped device that allows gradual correction of a deformity by decreasing compression on the growth plate." /><br> Plates were surgically placed in Abby's right knee to stop the right leg from growing in hopes of the left leg catching up. The “guided growth” plate is a figure-eight shaped device that allows gradual correction of a deformity by decreasing compression on the growth plate.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p><img src="images/1512-Ratner_Moriah_Unapologetically_Abby_10.jpg" title="" alt="The amount of love Michele has for Abby is unconditional. Though Abby's condition often leaves her on edge, Michele is thankful to have Abby in her life." /><br> The amount of love Michele has for Abby is unconditional. Though Abby's condition often leaves her on edge, Michele is thankful to have Abby in her life.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></noscript><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></div><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!--END JUICEBOX EMBED-->