Queensbury teen undergoing limb lengthening surgery

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) – Parents go to great lengths to see their children happy, and Kory Kosinski’s have done just that by getting him limb lengthening surgery. The Queensbury teen has a common form of dwarfism and has undergone extensive surgeries, for nearly a decade, to treat his condition.

His mom, Shirley, said she has four children and her motherly instincts kicked in during her pregnancy with Kory, she knew something was different.

“Because I kept having these dreams that I was having a little person,” said Shirley. Her stomach was tight, she had excess amniotic fluid, and there was one more noticeable sign. “I could see clearly on the sonogram that this kid was doing a split, most babies are curled up,” said Shirley.

Once Kory was born, and underwent blood testing, he was diagnosed with achondroplasia – the most common form of dwarfism. Shirley did not want her child’s condition to prevent him from having a normal life. So she sought treatment as she saw fit.

“He was gonna get the surgeries no matter what, because I want him to be independent. I do not want him home living with mom and I’m sure he doesn’t want to either,” said Shirley.

She said it was important for her to figure out what the options were. She looked into limb lengthening surgeries and took it up with his pediatrician.

“And he goes, ‘It’s kind of medieval.’ And I’m like I don’t think it’s so medieval. I said, maybe if you had a child with dwarfism, you would be interested in looking to see what’s out there. What’s available for my child to be successful in this world without having the limitations and the look where people just look at you and say there’s no way you’re working here,” said Shirley.

Local doctors didn’t recommend it, so she takes Kory to Florida for treatment. He’s got another scheduled for May 30.

“He is the first pediatric patient to have a custom-made, precise telescoping rod in his leg,” said Shirley. “That is why it is available today for children.”

He was six years old when he started undergoing the surgeries.

“It takes away a lot of my childhood and like I’m not allowed to spend time with friends a lot cause I’m constantly always doing surgeries and across states,” said Kory.

The procedures include installing rods in his limbs, internally and externally, and require utilizing a crank to lengthen limbs.

“Sometimes it hurts and you’ll get this weird feeling in your leg. Sometimes it’ll be like a sharp pain, but I usually do it by myself. I’ve never really had a problem with doing it. I like doing it by myself,” said Kory.

He said it’s painful while doing it but it doesn’t last for long. He said physical therapy is the most painful part but it’s all worth it.

“I just feel like, now I fit in. People won’t look at me like I’m different. And I just feel like I fit in better,” said Kory.

Because of the procedure, the 15 year old now stands at 5 ft and 5 in. They estimate he would have been around 4 feet tall without limb lengthening.

Kory said limb lengthening has given him the ability to work, drive and just live independently. He describes the progress.

“That was an amazing feeling, it’s not even describable really,” said Kory.

“It’s bittersweet. I cry and I’m happy. I’m happy because he’s able to get this. I’m sad because he has to go through it but if he did not have this option to get this done, I don’t know what life would be for him,” said Shirley. “I can only envision the complications, the difficulties, the depression because it does exist. We’ve talked to other little people.”

Kory said traveling out of state has taken a toll on his friendships and his ability to attend school. However, he has just started walking without assistance and said his goal is to be able to walk into school in September.

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