Prosthetic leg helps Dickinson youth lead normal life, but expenses are piling up

DICKINSON, N.D. -- Five-year-old Tyson Williams darted around Rocky Butte Park in Dickinson on Wednesday -- up the hills, through the trees and back to the playground.

He was still learning to use to his newest lower limb prosthetic leg, but that didn't slow him down as he ran ahead of his mother, Misti Williams.

Tyson, who attends kindergarten at Prairie Rose Elementary School and celebrates his sixth birthday on Oct. 6, has been through six prosthetic legs since he experienced an arterial trauma with amputation at the age of 2.

He pointed to the prosthetic left leg he helped design and was fitted for at the Great Plains Rehabilitation Center in Bismarck in August.

"I had a blue one, a purple one and then a Superhero one," Tyson said.

"When they're not comfortable, we know it's time to switch," said his mother. "We see the doctor every month or two, unless something is broken. … He's been through nine knees because he breaks them."

The prosthetics must be replaced every six months to a year as Tyson grows taller. The most recent cost around $21,000. While their insurance had covered all but 20 percent of that, coverage is becoming more difficult to approve, Misti said.

"Insurance only pays a certain amount," she said. "They want to pay for one leg every five years and he's already had six in five years, plus the knees."

Surgery, estimated to cost $100,000, is needed within the next 1½ years. The goal is to stop the lower limb growth plate from growing to prevent loss of mobility as he grows into an adult.

"They're saying surgery is optional, not necessary, and that's why we've started the Go Fund Me fundraiser in order to raise money to pay for our medical loans," Misti said. "We're trying to pay the back loans, plus deposits on the new ones. It's becoming overwhelming financially. We don't want to go bankrupt. We're pretty proud people and don't want to ask for help, but we don't have any options at this point."

Misti credited her mother, Mara McDonald, for the idea of a creating a page on GoFundMe.com, a crowdfunding website that allows anyone to donate to a specific cause.

"People can see our goals and how much has been donated, from start to finish, plus I'll post updates, too," Misti said.

McDonald described her grandson as "all boy."

"Nothing stops him from what he wants to do," she said. "He gets on high places and just jumps. It scares me to death."

'I can do it myself'

Tyson's family includes his mom and dad, Misty and Tristan Williams, and his 3-year-old brother, Tigan.

Misti grew up in Astoria, Ore., while Tristan came from Georgia. They both served in the U.S. Air Force at Minot Air Force Base until moving to Dickinson three years ago. Tristan started working in the oilfield and currently works as a leasing operator. The family does not qualify for any financial assistance from Social Security or other amputation fundraisers because Tristan continues to maintain his career.

Misti has a master's degree in psychology, but much of her time is directed toward her children's needs.

"We're driving to Bismarck a lot," she said.

Getting ready for the day also calls for parental assistance.

He insisted, “I can do it myself,” before his mom added, “He needs a little help with his pants and shoes.”

No hesitation

Tyson likes to play soccer and showed pictures of his "soccer leg" that works well at kicking the ball. He recently got a cruiser tricycle -- one that has peddles in the front. Still being a little nervous in a new school, he continues to make friends -- showing his mom the sucker a friend gave him.

Tyson doesn't hesitate to show others -- kids or adults -- his prosthetic leg or to demonstrate how he can kick a ball with it, because it has become a natural part of his life. When his leg gets sore from too much activity, he simply takes off the prosthetic.

Tyson has met adults with prosthetics, but not other children.

"The prosthetics have gotten so much better, especially after the Iraq war,” Misti said. “They were trying to create new and better prosthetics for the soldiers. There is a convention at San Diego for children, but we can't afford to go."

McDonald has been sending Facebook updates and distributing flyers about the fundraiser around Astoria.

Anything to help her grandson.

"They're getting financially strapped because of what they need to do for him," she said. "I don't like seeing them in that situation. It's not fair. They could use a little bit of help."

Tyson's fundraiser

To donate to Tyson Williams' protesthic leg fundraiser, visit www.gofundme.com/962fn7kc .