Help Annabelle Support Orthopedics and Child Life at Children’s Hospital Colorado

At 17, Annabelle knows what it means to persevere. Diagnosed at age 10 with multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE), a rare genetic condition that causes benign bone tumors to form along her bones, she faced a future of surgeries, challenges and unknowns. But Annabelle’s story isn’t defined by her diagnosis — it’s defined by her strength, compassion and the community that lifted her through her hardest moments.

Over five years at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Annabelle underwent 15 orthopedic surgeries. Each procedure was part of a coordinated plan created by specialists committed not only to treating her condition but also to protecting her mobility and quality of life. “They focused on what she can do, not what she can’t,” her mother said. “That’s invaluable.” Their guidance helped Annabelle stay active, keep dancing and continue doing the things that made her feel like a normal teenager.

But surgery is never just about physical recovery. Annabelle spent long stretches healing, sometimes in a wheelchair, often separated from the routines and social life most kids take for granted. The emotional toll added up — and that’s where Child Life made all the difference.

Child Life specialists helped transform the hospital from a place of fear into a place of comfort. Therapy dogs brightened long days. Warm conversations helped her feel in control. They even played Taylor Swift and let her pick her anesthesia flavor before surgery — small gestures that brought big relief. “They take a bad situation and bring some joy,” her mother said. “She doesn’t dread appointments because they make it feel welcoming.”

Beyond comfort, Child Life gave Annabelle the tools to cope. “They validated what I was feeling,” she said. “They taught me how little decisions, like how I prepare for bed, can make a huge difference.” Those lessons helped her manage anxiety, depression, nightmares and the daily realities of living with a chronic condition.

Now, Annabelle is turning her experience into purpose. She proudly fundraises for the two departments that shaped her journey: Orthopedics and Child Life. “After my first surgery, I started fundraising,” she said. “I thought, ‘There are kids in this hospital who have it worse than me. I want to help them.’”

For Annabelle, Children’s Colorado isn’t just where she had surgeries. It’s where she found hope, resilience and connection. It’s where she was encouraged to see her strength, not her limitations. And now, she’s determined to make sure other kids receive the same compassion and support that changed her life.