Chad

At this point, seemingly nothing can stop 17-year-old Chad Fallentine.

Not spina bifida, not a missing kidney, heck, not even Half Dome.

Two years ago, Chad hiked to the top of the world-famous granite dome in Yosemite National Park. An impressive feat, considering he has limited use of his legs due to spina bifida.

Immediately after he was born, doctors at Children’s Hospital performed surgery to fuse together his incomplete spinal cord and close the silver dollar-sized hole in his back. That was followed up by another procedure to relieve pressure in his head caused by an excess amount of fluid.

“When he came out of that surgery,” says his dad, Chris, “he looked terrible. He didn’t look like he was going to make it.”

But that was only the first challenge in a lifetime full of them.

Many other surgeries and treatments were to follow over the next 13 years, all of them at Children’s. He’s had procedures done on his back, feet, bladder, and esophagus, just to name a few. He was also born with just one kidney and survived spinal meningitis. The Fallentines estimate that they took Chad to Children’s about 10 to 12 times a year for the better part of his life.

“It seemed like we lived there,” says Chris. “Every summer, every holiday, we were there.”

By the time Chad hit sixth grade, the constant surgeries came to an end.
When he entered high school, he was able to walk without crutches and used his wheelchair only sparingly.

Every obstacle he faced, he overcame. Then came the biggest, baddest, tallest hurdle of them all–Half Dome.

Chad decided to scale the 5,000-foot monolith as part of a fundraiser to help him attend a spina bifida camp for kids. He brought along a small group of capable climbers–including his dad, his brace doctor and a massage therapist–to assist him with the 15-mile round trip hike. When he would tire, Chad would ride on something affectionately called “The Chadmobile”, a one-wheeled rickshaw powered by two people at either side. But the last part of the climb he would have to do on his own. It’s a harrowing, nearly vertical, 400-foot ascent to the crest of Half Dome, with just two cables for handles.

He did it.

“It seemed like it took forever,” says Chad’s mom, Kristine, who waited for her husband and son at the trailhead. “I hardly thought he was going to be able to walk down, but he was leading the charge. I think that was a turning point for Chad. He accomplished something he didn’t think he could.”

Chad’s incredible story is a testament to his determination and resolve. But the Fallentines know that none of his accomplishments would be possible without the top-notch medical care he’s received at Children’s Hospital.

“We’re very grateful,” says Kristine. “From the day he was born, everybody made us feel comfortable. I feel very blessed that Children’s is here.”

That day in Yosemite gave Chad the confidence to try just about anything. Today, he races wheelchairs competitively and hopes to attend Arizona State University. With Half Dome conquered, Chad and Chris have their sights set on an even bigger challenge–Mount Whitney.

Journey Sponsored by Maxco - Max & Marty Flaming
Adventured Sponsored by Kathleen L. Behr, MD – Dermatologic Surgeon