NAME: OWYN
CONDITION: ULNAR DIMELIA, OR MIRROR HANDS
LOCATION: SHRINERS CHILDREN’S ST. LOUIS
Owyn was born with ulnar dimelia (or mirror hands), an extremely rare condition affecting fewer than one in a million children. She had eight fingers on one hand and an elbow that couldn’t bend. When she first came to Shriners Children’s St. Louis as a baby, her family was confident her medical team would have the expertise to treat her rare condition. However, what they didn’t know – yet – was that Owyn would form a special bond with her physician.
Charles Goldfarb, M.D., an upper extremity surgeon at the St. Louis hospital, quickly became a comforting voice for Owyn’s parents, Matt and Tiffany, who had to let go of what they expected to be “normal” for Owyn. “Out of eight fingers, she wasn’t going to have four fingers and a thumb. Dr. Goldfarb walked us through valuing functionality over beauty,” said Matt.
Together, they formed a united front, agreeing that surgery to give Owyn four functioning fingers and a stronger bend in her elbow would allow for the greatest outcome. Their shared goal was clear: to help Owyn become a confident and independent child.
Year after year, Owyn’s relationship with Dr. Goldfarb strengthened. Recently, Owyn was given a special honor – she was invited to write the forward to a widely published book. During the book signing, her family was touched to find Dr. Goldfarb patiently waiting in line to have his book personally signed by his patient. Then, Owyn was in the audience and cheered for Dr. Goldfarb when he was awarded a prestigious distinction at Washington University.
Owyn always arrives for clinic appointments with a new drawing or handmade card. She’s created those treasures for her favorite physician, Dr. Goldfarb. Dr. Goldfarb always welcomes her family with a big smile and memories of caring for Owyn as a little girl.
The relationship might be one in a million, just like her condition. However, what’s certain is that Owyn has found a physician who will lend a hand to help her achieve life’s most significant and smallest goals.
