March 28, 2024

Going out on a Limb for Aiden

RMS student to have 15th surgery in May.  Fundraiser set for April 15th

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Aiden Correia is a 13-year-old boy who was born with a condition that affects 1 in 200,000 births. He was born with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD).  PFFD is a rare, non-hereditary birth defect that affects the pelvis, particularly the hip bone, and the proximal femur. The disorder may affect one side or both, with the hip being deformed and the leg shortened. “We were told Aiden would never walk, run, ride a bike or play in sports like other kids unless he had an amputation. Deciding against amputation, we found a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon named Dror Paley, who could correct the deformity and help Aiden lead a normal, healthy, happy and functional life,” said Aiden’s mom Brittney Crevier.  Brittney along with Aiden’s grandmother Jane Brindisi-Crevier and other family and friends are hosting a fundraiser to help with medical costs not covered by health insurance.  His 15th surgery, a major leg lengthening surgery, will take place this May 2023, at the Paley Institute in Florida. The Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute offers patients and visiting surgeons the most technologically advanced limb lengthening and deformity correction treatments available in the world today.   

Aiden currently attends Riverside Middle School in East Providence and has been catching up on school assignments in-between his many surgeries and treatments through the years. “While insurance pays for many of the medical costs, there are extenuating expenses associated with living arrangements, transportation and other medical equipment not covered by insurance. This fundraiser will be held to help cover those extenuating costs and to help relieve the financial burden that comes with helping Aiden achieve having his own 2 feet on the ground,” said event organizers.  Aiden and his mom will have to be housed near the Paley Center for the duration of the treatment. During this time, he will be undergoing a complicated lengthening process as well as receiving complex specialized physical therapy.  Prior surgeries have required Aiden to undergo at least one 8 month stay at The Paley Institute. He made significant progress but had missed a lot of school.  His surgeries began when he was a student at Silver Spring Elementary School. The next surgery in May will require a six-month stay in Florida for Aiden, siblings and mom.

The family experienced further stress when Aiden’s dad, Joseph “Joey” Crevier died unexpectedly in November of 2020 at the age of 30.  Joey Crevier attended East Providence High School and was a proud U.S. Army Sergeant and veteran of the war in Afghanistan.  With all that 13-year-old Aiden has faced in his young life, he has come a long way.  Fourteen – soon to be fifteen serious surgeries, missing a lot of school and youthful activities and the passing of his father; yet Aiden moves forward with a positive attitude and has generally caught up with much of his education.

The fundraiser for Aiden and his family will be on April 15, 2023, from 12 to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Columbus Club, 3200 Pawtucket Avenue in Riverside, RI.  The event is free to attend and supporters are asked to stop by and purchase raffle tickets or make a donation.  Many people have donated raffle baskets and gift cards for the cause.  A prior scheduled fundraiser was cancelled at the height of COVID but organizers are hoping for big turnout on Saturday, April 15th.  “I thank contributors with all my heart,” said Jane Brindisi-Crevier.  “Please stop in to say hi, for a chance to win great things and wish Aiden well!” 

If you would like to help support Aiden and family but can’t attend the April 15th fundraiser, donations can be made out to: Aiden Crevier Fund, c/o Jane Brindisi-Crevier, 33 Cobb Street, East Providence, RI 02914.  There is also a Venmo address: @limbitlessproject.     

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