Maddie Brown Brush, the 24-year-old star of the hit show Sister Wives, just shared a major update about her daughter's health. Her daughter, Evie, just underwent a procedure to have her foot amputated. Maddie shared an image of her daughter, along with a caption letting followers know how she was doing, shortly after the surgery.
In the photo, little Evie's left leg and right arm are bandaged. Maddie wrote, "Evie received some major gifts for her 1st birthday. Her surgeon laid the groundwork for her new foot and mobility it will bring, by way of a boyd amputation. Another gave her some extra mobility in her hand, by clipping her webbing she had in her right hand."
In the picture, Maddie appears to be smiling from behind her mask. She added that Evie was at home recovering "beautifully." Commenters were quick to send well-wishes for little Evie and the rest of the family.
It's great to hear that little Evie is doing well. But it's always a big deal when small children, especially babies, have to undergo an operation. Luckily, it seems like the little girl is pretty tough. In the picture, she's snuggled in her mama's arms, looking sweetly at the camera and likely a little tired from the whole ordeal.
Evie has already been through a lot in her life. And Maddie has been open about her daughter's health struggles. Evie has a rare condition that causes limb malformation. Before she was born, she was diagnosed with oligodactyly, which is a congenital anomaly defined as the presence of fewer than five fingers on a hand.
Obviously, Maddie and her husband, Caleb, knew that Evie would have some challenges. When she was born, she was missing a thumb and a toe. One of her legs was missing its calf bone, and she had a bowed shin bone. Two of her fingers were also fused together.
It's such a frightening experience for new parents. Last year, Maddie talked to People about her baby's diagnosis. She said they were "shocked," mostly because the genetic disorder Evie has is so incredibly rare.
"I was just sitting there trying to comprehend what's going on, having just had a baby as they are bringing in all these specialists. I was freaking out," she said. It's certainly an understandable reaction. Mothers never want to imagine their child will have health problems that will make their life more difficult. However, it seems like the family is doing an amazing job helping her to thrive.
The family had to wait until the baby turned 1 until doctors could advise them on the best way for her to be treated. Now it seems like there is a plan in place that will help Evie live life to the fullest. Maddie says her daughter will have "limitations, but not huge hindrances."
Evie has a big brother, Axel James, who is 3. The two already seem like a pretty fearless duo. Maddie is always sharing pictures of the sweet siblings, who are incredibly close. "Sometimes I forget that his love for his sister doesn't negate that he also needs as much reassurance of my love for him if not more," Maddie wrote on an image of her snuggling her son recently.
Obviously, Evie's care is a lot to manage. Parents who have kids with health issues can definitely relate to the struggle of giving their other kids equal time and attention. When one child has more pressing needs, it can weigh a lot on parents' minds, but Maddie and her husband seem up to the challenge.
On top of being a mom to two kiddos, Maddie feels that it's important to bring awareness to Evie's condition, rather than not speak about it. "It's abnormal, and it catches people off guard, but I want her to grow up and feel proud about who she is," she said. "If I'm hiding this to protect her, is it really helpful?"
The family definitely has a lot to celebrate. On top of Evie's successful surgery, which laid the groundwork for increased mobility, she also just turned 1.
Maddie wrote on Instagram, "Happy 1st Birthday to my little spitfire ray of sunshine! It's crazy how quickly this year flew by."
