THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 1996 TAG: 9602290290
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL CLANCY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
As the amphibious assault ship Wasp inched into port Wednesday, 8-year-old Kyle Pfeiffer crooned softly, ``Daddy, Daddy, Daddy.''
It was the moment he had been anticipating for several months. He would show his father, Petty Officer David Pfeiffer, something he has learned to do since the Wasp set sail six months ago.
Kyle was born with spina bifida, a malformation of the spinal column that often prevents walking and can be life-threatening. His mother, Debbie Pfeiffer, said doctors originally told them their son would never walk. She stood beside Kyle in his wheelchair, holding a single rose.
Kyle held a small American flag.
The operations to save his life and to improve his condition began shortly after his birth. He underwent 18 operations, including brain surgery, spinal cord surgery and hip replacement surgery. Recently, doctors at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters placed his hip back into its socket.
To keep it in place, they took a muscle from his abdomen and attached it to his femur, or thighbone.
Then it was up to Kyle. He faced months of physical therapy and exercise. He wanted to show his father, on the day his ship pulled in, that he could walk.
Four months ago, with the help of a walker and a brace, he took his first steps. It was the first time since a spinal cord flareup in his infancy that he has walked. But his father, who left in September, wasn't home to see it.
Dr. Sheldon St. Clair, surgical director of pediatrics at King's Daughters, said the prognosis for Kyle is good. ``We'd like for him to be an independent walker as an adult,'' St. Clair said. He said children with spina bifida, given proper treatment, can have a normal lifespan.
``He has a lot of courage,'' St. Clair said. ``It was very gratifying to be able to help somebody like Kyle.''
``He's very determined he's going to walk today,'' said his mother.
``Until a few months ago, nobody realized how tall he is,'' she added.
Through all the medical procedures, Kyle has managed to keep up with his school work. He is in second grade at Red Mill Elementary in Virginia Beach. One of his specialties is drawing, with Super Heroes being his recent favorite.
``Can you see my daddy up there? He has a mustache,'' he said, waiting in his wheelchair.
Down came the gangway and up went the cheers as 1,100 men and women of the amphibious assault ship began to spill onto the dock.
And Kyle, gripping his small, wheeled walker, got to his feet and began a pretty rapid shuffle-run. ``Daddy, Daddy, Daddy,'' he repeated with each step.
``One step at a time,'' Debbie Pfeiffer coached. ``Not too fast. Don't get too excited.''
His father appeared out of a sea of faces.
``Hi. How're you doing?'' David Pfeiffer said, his face wreathed in a smile.
``Hi, Daddy,'' Kyle said.
He reached both arms up as his father stooped down for a careful hug. ILLUSTRATION: Waiting to Walk for Daddy
BETH BERGMAN
The Virginian-Pilot
Debbie and Kyle Pfeiffer wait for the Wasp on Wednesday. Kyle, born
with spina bifida, learned to walk while his father, David, was at
sea. Doctors said he'd never do it.
by CNB