Eric Rine age 13
SPINA BIFIDA AND A CLUBBED FOOT
Eric was born with Spina Bifida and a clubbed
foot. He has had 20 operations, starting with the
closure of his spinal cord when he was just two
hours old. Now, Mercy Children’s Hospital has
become like a second home to him.
Always up for a challenge, Eric loves skateboarding, golfing and water skiing—
activities that might seem impossible for someone who is paralyzed from the
knees down. “He doesn’t know the word ‘can’t’ and will attempt to do anything,”
says his mom. Eric is an eternal optimist and enjoys serving others, even opening
doors for them. Whenever he sees someone else in a wheelchair, he challenges
them to race against his sporty wheelchair – custom racing flames lining the
back of the seat, red wheels and lights. He’s found the elderly really get a kick
out of his enthusiasm, and his performances of his best wheelchair tricks are
sure to draw a smile.