By Dana Lance, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
Wagoner, Okla. - Kaleb Dorr wants to be a cowboy when he grows up.
A determined three-year -old Chickasaw boy; he will most likely fulfill any goal he sets in life.
Kaleb's determination stems from his fight for life.
He was born in 2007 in a Tulsa Hospital with a genetic syndrome called Thrombocytopenia Absent Radius Syndrome; which means his body doesn't make blood platelets correctly and he has to receive blood transfusions. He was also born without his radius bones, the bone that runs from the elbow to thumb.
As a result, he spent his first 79 days in a hospital and has made several return trips to hospitals and clinics around the country for medical care.
His mom, Kimberly, said Kaleb's condition is a very rare genetic disorder and the family was aware he might have a problem before birth.
"The doctors said it is like winning the gene lottery," she explained. The chances of an infant having TARS is less than one percent, she said.
After many prenatal tests, the Doors were given several options of what Kaleb's condition could be.
"I researched ahead of time and prepared myself," she said.
"When he was born, I got to hold him about 45 minutes before they came and got him."
Since then, Kaleb has spent a total of 112 days in the hospital and has had nine surgeries.
"He is a strong little boy. He rarely complains about going to the doctor, because he thinks it is a part of everyday life," said Kimberly.
Kaleb has had several surgeries to correct the placement of his hands, and will continue to have corrective surgeries throughout his life.
Despite the rough start, Kaleb has become an ambassador for several medical facilities in the Tulsa area and nationwide, including the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Shreveport, La.
Last year, he was selected as one of the "superhero" poster kids for the Children's Hospital at St. Francis Hospital's annual "radiothon" fundraiser.
Dressed in a superman costume, his picture appeared on posters, flyers, mailers, and other promotional materials in the summer of 2009.
Soon after, the same photo was selected to appear in a full page advertisement for National Association of Children's Hospitals in Roll Call, a national publication. The advertisement encouraged lawmakers to consider children's health during health care reform.
The photo also appeared in the online weekly publication the same month.
The National Association of Children's Hospitals also plans to use the picture for awards to be given to outstanding Children's Hospitals all over the United States.
This past summer, Kaleb was also chosen as one of the poster children for the 30th Annual Bedouin Shriner's Muskogee, Okla. Basketball Classic.
He was featured on the front cover of the program and helped hand out awards to winning teams.
"It was fun handing out the awards," he said.
Meanwhile, Kaleb has started a preschool program at Wagoner, which he clearly enjoys.
He also loves anything to do with horses, including drawing them.
When asked how Chickasaw citizens could help enhance Kaleb's life, Kimberly simply requested blood donations.
"A blood donation in Kaleb's name to the Oklahoma Blood Institute would enable us to draw from his account when we need it." The blood does not have to be a certain type, since just the plasma is used.
"Everything helps," said Kimberly.
Kaleb lives in Wagoner with his mom, Kim, and dad, Dennis Jr. He has a half-brother, Bailey; and a big sister, Maci. His grandparents are Dennis and Denise Dorr, the late Mark and Nancy Hellinger. His great-grandparents are Margaret Goforth-Ralls and Louise Owens-Hellinger.
