Amarillo 12-year-old walks again after spinal tumor left her unable to move

A 12-year-old Amarillo girl is walking again after a medical emergency left her unable to walk and facing paralysis.

Phoebe McCaleb’s family said doctors discovered a tumor on her spine. After months of intensive rehabilitation in Houston, Phoebe is now taking steps again.

Her mother, Leslie McCaleb, said Phoebe’s recovery took persistence and weeks of treatment away from home.

“She never gave up, she had courage and determination. And every day she got up, and she worked hard, and she came in to do her here in Houston. We stayed there for five weeks in a wheelchair, and she walked out on March 20th. We were so grateful,” Leslie McCaleb said.

Phoebe’s doctor, Dr. Stacey Hall of TIRR Memorial Hermann/UTHealth Houston, said what happened to Phoebe is rare and that few children leave rehabilitation walking after a spinal cord injury.

“It does kind of depend on your grade of spinal injury in terms of your prognosis. But like, how many can walk out of to your with a spinal cord injury? Not many,” Hall said.

Hall said Phoebe’s attitude stood out throughout the process.

“Thinking about, like, where she came from. You know, she was just such an inspiration for everyone. Just full of positivity and courage. And was able to just, like, push forward, even though it was so very hard for her,” Hall said.

Phoebe said she worked through different mobility aids as she regained strength.

“I worked really hard. And then I went from this weird, like, walker thingy to, like, a normal walker and then crutches,” she said.

Now, Phoebe said she is eager to return to the activities she loves.

“Like to ride my horse. I like to break away the rope. I like to go to the goat tied. I think my favorite thing is giving them a bath. They're all dirty and stinky,” she said.

Leslie McCaleb said the family remains thankful through the ordeal.

“We were so grateful for not giving up to the Lord for answering her prayers,” she said.
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