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WZTV FOX 17 - Top Stories
A local middle schooler who was told he would never walk is literally taking steps to break that diagnosis. 11 year old Fuxia Caudill is a remarkable young man who builds robots and plans to go to Space Camp. He works every day to overcome a debilitating condition that some doctors said he'd never be able to beat, and to do it, he draws inspiration from a very special friend. Caudill is meeting up with his dear friend and role model Ward Foley, an inspirational speaker and author who calls himself "Scarman".
"There's nothing better in my life than meeting kids like Fuxia," says Foley.
They both suffer from Arthrogryposis, a joint disorder that often leaves limbs with limited development and mobility. For Ward, it made for a painful childhood.
"People used to call me a cripple or Frankenstein or monkey ward," says Foley.
The pain wasn't just emotional. He had dozens of surgeries and muscle transplants to fix his joints. A world away and a few decades later, Fuxia, who was born in China, and spent his childhood in an orphanage.
"He didn't really have any physical therapy, he didn't have any accommodations really, not even a wheelchair until he was about 7," says Anna Caudill.
That is, until he was adopted by Caudill and brought to the U.S. Now he's a bright 7th grader at Freedom Middle School, who builds his robots and has dreams of going to Space Camp.
"I'm really, really, really excited," says Fuxia.
He can't go unless he can take care of himself. Rather than give up, he's strengthening his arms and hands.
"More stuff I could do by myself like washing, take a shower, lay clothes out by myself," says Fuxia.
His mom says breaking barriers is just part of who he is.
"He's gone from not having been ever expected to walk to walking with a walker," says Anna. "The orthopedist thinks he'll walk without even crutches someday."
If the Scarman can do it, so can he.
"I hope it inspires him just by me being me and him being him," says Foley. "He's just such a wonderful kid and he will make it to Space Camp."
The Scarman really does have an incredible story, having survived over 40 surgeries and a few life-threatening accidents. If you'd like to learn more about him, we have an extended interview on our website. Just go to Fox17.com and look for the RAW NEWS section.
"There's nothing better in my life than meeting kids like Fuxia," says Foley.
They both suffer from Arthrogryposis, a joint disorder that often leaves limbs with limited development and mobility. For Ward, it made for a painful childhood.
"People used to call me a cripple or Frankenstein or monkey ward," says Foley.
The pain wasn't just emotional. He had dozens of surgeries and muscle transplants to fix his joints. A world away and a few decades later, Fuxia, who was born in China, and spent his childhood in an orphanage.
"He didn't really have any physical therapy, he didn't have any accommodations really, not even a wheelchair until he was about 7," says Anna Caudill.
That is, until he was adopted by Caudill and brought to the U.S. Now he's a bright 7th grader at Freedom Middle School, who builds his robots and has dreams of going to Space Camp.
"I'm really, really, really excited," says Fuxia.
He can't go unless he can take care of himself. Rather than give up, he's strengthening his arms and hands.
"More stuff I could do by myself like washing, take a shower, lay clothes out by myself," says Fuxia.
His mom says breaking barriers is just part of who he is.
"He's gone from not having been ever expected to walk to walking with a walker," says Anna. "The orthopedist thinks he'll walk without even crutches someday."
If the Scarman can do it, so can he.
"I hope it inspires him just by me being me and him being him," says Foley. "He's just such a wonderful kid and he will make it to Space Camp."
The Scarman really does have an incredible story, having survived over 40 surgeries and a few life-threatening accidents. If you'd like to learn more about him, we have an extended interview on our website. Just go to Fox17.com and look for the RAW NEWS section.
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 09:57 PM CST
Tennessee News
Nashville judge permanently suspends guardian
May 22, 2013 23:17 GMT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A Nashville judge has permanently suspended the public guardian of Davidson County while citing "significant concerns" that she charged excessive fees to the elderly and disabled people she is supposed to protect.
The Tennessean (http://goo.gl/1P5gG ) is reporting that Probate Judge Randy Kennedy terminated public guardian Jeanan Mills Stuart following questions over her billing practices.
As public guardian, Stuart was responsible for making legal, medical and financial decisions for incapacitated people who had no family or friends willing or able to make decisions for them. The paper's revelations showed how Stuart charged those in her care legal rates of $200 to $225 an hour to perform tasks such as shopping or helping them move to an assisted living facility.
Stuart, who has resigned, did not respond to a call seeking comment.
Information from: The Tennessean, http://www.tennessean.com
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