At 5 years old, Reilly Rose’s family noticed her limping during a beach trip. They brought her to their local hospital where she underwent initial testing, including blood work, x-rays, MRI’s and physicals to explain the fractures, but all came back normal.  

“We felt hopeless, at a total loss,” recalls Reilly Rose’s mom, Camille. “How do you help your child when it feels like they have done every test known to man and nothing comes back with an answer?” 

After months of no answers and further testing, including genetic research, a bone biopsy finally revealed Reilly Rose’s bone growth and turnover was abnormal.  

Reilly Rose was referred to John Mahan, MD, a pediatrician in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Nationwide Children’s Hospital with a clinical interest in emerging therapies for metabolic bone disorder. Together with her family, they made a plan to get Reilly Rose back together again. This plan included surgeries to improve her fractures, including insertion of nails and rods, attending rehabilitation clinics, and participation in research studies and drug trials.  

At the end of her last admission in the rehabilitation unit, she was joined at her graduation celebration by Beck, one of Nationwide Children's facility dogs who supported Reilly Rose during her therapy.  

After several years of hard work, Reilly Rose has since regained the ability to walk, swim, and ride her bike. Though she still uses a wheelchair for long distances and has to be cautious because of her increased risk for fractures. Today, she is a happy, bubbly 11-year-old who loves her dogs, makeup and Taylor Swift.