A 12-year-old Garland boy with cerebral palsy has defied the odds by learning how to walk and talk, despite doctors' predictions that he would never be able to do either.
Kenneth Ruiz was diagnosed at 3 months old, and he will soon undergo an intensive procedure that will involve five surgeries in one day to hopefully keep him walking and active.
"It was scary, and I would say it was a pretty big hit for us, but we couldn't stay there. We had to move on," said his father, Eduardo Ruiz.
Kenneth has had several surgeries over the years, but now his family is about to face the biggest challenge yet.
Kenneth's leg muscles have become so tight they're causing his bones to become deformed as he grows.
Doctors say at the current pace, Kenneth will end up in a wheelchair, unless the family chooses to undergo a 10-intensive surgical procedure.
"It's pretty complex, and it's pretty intrusive, but we have no choice," said Eduardo Ruiz.
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At a minimum, the surgery will allow Kenneth to maintain his current mobility, however, doctors say the best-case scenario is that, over time, the surgery will allow him to walk without crutches.
"Being able to have full functioning legs, he can take on the world after that," his father said.
"I want to be without crutches, because then I can do other activities," said Kenneth. "I believe what my dad said. I can do anything I want to."
The includes playing football, which he says is his dream to do one day.
After the surgery, Kenneth will be in a full-body cast for six weeks and will then begin months of rehab. That, hopefully, will lead to him being on his feet without those crutches.
The family leaves for Minnesota later this month, and they've set up a GoFundMe account to help cover medical expenses and update followers on Kenneth's progress.
