Ten-year-old Angelica Hoopingarner-Hale wants nothing more than to walk, run and play like other children her age. And she hopes that her goal will be realized soon.
Angelica, who has cerebral palsy, will undergo surgery on her feet and legs in Duluth on July 2.
The six to eight-hour surgery will leave the Falls Elementary School fifth grader in recovery in Duluth for more than a week and in casts for up to six months.
But for Angelica, the surgery is exciting rather than scary.
“I’ll be able to run, walk and do stuff everyone else can do,” she said. “And I’ll be happy about it.”
While she may have been less than enthusiastic about other surgeries she has had, talking about this surgery and the possibilities it allows, brings a smile to her face.
“She has never lost her drive and desire to walk,” said her grandmother, Dianna Hoopingarner.
Hoopingarner and Angelica’s mother, Marilyn Hoopingarner-Hale, describe Angelica as an intelligent girl with high energy and a never-ending positive attitude.
“Nutritionally she’s healing well and mentally she’s brilliant, it’s the feet that are holding up the ball game,” Hoopingarner said. “Angelica brings a lot of joy to a lot of people.”
Cerebral palsy can have varying effects on those with the condition. In Angelica’s case, it affects her motor skills and walking. Therapy has improved her motor skills, but the issues with her legs require surgery.
In most respects, Angelica is like many other girls her age. She said she enjoys Littlest Pet Shop toys, playing her Nintendo and reading. She can’t wait to see the upcoming “Ice Age — Dawn of the Dinosaurs” movie. She loves animals, including her pets, and wants to be a zoologist.
The family hopes that the surgery will correct the alignment in Angelica’s feet and add stability to her knees, allowing her to walk without the assistance of a walker. For them, this would be one of the last pieces of the medical puzzle that has followed Angelica her whole life.
A benefit at the Ranier Community Center from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 1 will raise money to assist the family in paying for uncovered expenses such as travel and lodging while Angelica is recovering in Duluth.
“It would be nice to have her family with her,” her mother said, explaining that most of the travel expenses would not be covered under insurance.
The family invites the community to join them for food, silent auctions and raffles, and a good view of the Canada Day fireworks. They are also looking for people to help with the event, including serving food and helping with the silent auction.
