Meet McKenzie
Philanthropic support helps ensure children facing lifelong medical challenges receive compassionate care and advanced treatment options tailored to their unique needs.
When Khadijah was pregnant with her first child, she expected a typical pregnancy and healthy baby. Instead, she and her husband found themselves facing uncertainty from the moment McKenzie entered the world.
Born at 39 weeks in Montgomery, Alabama, McKenzie was unresponsive at birth. She was diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a condition caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain, as well as epilepsy. Doctors explained that her future health challenges could not yet be fully predicted, leaving her family facing many unknowns. Just 3 weeks later, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
As young, first-time parents in their 20s, Khadijah and her husband suddenly found themselves navigating therapies, specialist appointments and complex medical decisions they never expected to face. At the same time, Khadijah balanced the demands of military service while learning how to care for a child with significant medical needs.
Despite the challenges, McKenzie's joyful personality always shone through. She loves spending time outdoors with her family, taking adaptive bike rides and walks, and she is known for being unapologetically herself.
As the years passed, however, her muscle spasticity became increasingly severe. Her muscles were so tight that everyday tasks, including positioning her safely and comfortably, became more difficult. After relocating to Central Florida, Khadijah became determined to find ways to improve her daughter's quality of life. She began researching treatment options and specialists who could help McKenzie gain greater comfort and mobility.
Trusted friends recommended Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital, where McKenzie's family met with a multidisciplinary team to learn about selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), a procedure that can reduce spasticity by identifying and cutting specific nerves that contribute to muscle tightness.
For Khadijah and her husband, the decision was not easy. As parents who had spent years advocating for their daughter, they carefully weighed the risks and benefits before moving forward with the procedure.
The surgery lasted 10 hours and was, thankfully, successful. Throughout the experience, Khadijah felt supported by every member of McKenzie's care team. The physician took time to walk her family through the procedure step by step, while nurses got to know McKenzie and helped her family feel comfortable during their stay. One moment that stood out was when McKenzie received a Belle-themed hospital gown, a simple gesture that brought joy during a difficult time.
As McKenzie recovered following her surgery, something remarkable happened. Therapists, nurses, physicians and caregivers all noticed a change.
"After the surgery, everyone commented on how much more comfortable and relaxed McKenzie seemed," Khadijah said.
Her smile and personality became more visible as her discomfort decreased. For Khadijah, hearing members of the care team recognize and celebrate that change was one of the most meaningful outcomes of the entire journey.
Today, McKenzie continues to enjoy life with her family and inspires others through the family's social media platform, where Khadijah shares their experiences to support families facing similar diagnoses. Looking back, she is grateful for the care that helped improve her daughter's comfort, independence and quality of life.
"When you're facing a diagnosis like this for the first time, it can feel overwhelming," Khadijah said. "Sharing our journey is our way of helping other families know they're not alone."
