All content © Shawn Gust
In the late summer of 2008, 3-year-old Anthony “Ant” Rankin underwent a surgery to amputate his right leg. The toddler suffers from a rare congenital condition, known as Maffucci syndrome, in which multiple tumor-like abnormalities attach to the growth plates. As a result, one leg did not develop at the same rate as the other, leaving him with the need for special footwear. The added weight of his shoes caused fatigue and pain during normal activities. Following the amputation, Ant was fitted with prosthetics and, subsequently, was prescribed physical therapy. It wasn’t long before he was running and jumping and acting like a normal, playful young boy. Through all of this, he and his older sister Emily have formed a strong bond, something for which their mother Jessica is thankful.