At first glance, Avery looks like any bright, confident middle schooler — her eyes full of curiosity, her laughter contagious, and her imagination endless. But behind that sparkle lies a story of courage, strength, and unshakable spirit.
At just 11 years old, Avery is a dreamer who lights up every stage she steps onto. A passionate theater lover, swimmer, and avid reader, she fills her world with stories, music, and movement. Whether she’s rehearsing lines for her next school play or diving into her favorite fantasy novel, Avery’s energy seems limitless. But her journey hasn’t been easy.
Avery lives with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease — a rare genetic condition that makes her bones fragile and prone to breaking. The diagnosis came early. Even before she took her first breath, doctors discovered through ultrasound that her left femur was already fractured. From her first days of life, Avery faced challenges most people never experience.
Yet from the beginning, she’s met each one with a strength that defies her size.
Over the years, Avery has undergone eight orthopedic surgeries, each one a milestone in her long journey toward mobility and independence. She also wears hearing aids for hearing loss — another symptom of her condition — and receives regular infusions at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, which has been recognized among the nation’s best for pediatric orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report.
For Avery, hospital visits have become part of life — but never the center of it. “Avery is an amazing kid,” says her mom, Janelle, smiling. “We have a strong faith, and it’s helped us through a lot. She’s been a blessing from the very start.”
Faith, love, and a touch of sass have carried Avery through even the hardest moments. Her family describes her as kind but fearless — a girl who insists on walking her own path, no matter how uneven it might be.
Her school community rallies around her, too. Teachers describe her as “a burst of sunshine in the hallway.” Friends know her as the one who always cheers the loudest for others. And on stage, where she performs with her school theater club, Avery transforms completely. In the spotlight, she’s not a patient, not a diagnosis — she’s a star.
“There’s something magical about theater,” Avery says. “When I’m performing, I don’t think about anything else. I just feel happy.”
Her joy shines brightest when she’s in the water. Swimming gives her freedom — a chance to move without limits. “In the pool, she feels weightless,” says her mom. “She’s strong and graceful there. It’s where she truly feels like herself.”
That sense of freedom has become Avery’s lifeline — a reminder that while her bones may be fragile, her spirit is anything but. Her care team at Levine Children’s Hospital describes her as an inspiration, a living reminder of why their work matters. “Avery never gives up,” one of her doctors said. “She’s always smiling, always trying, always ready for what’s next.”
And what’s next for Avery is more than medical milestones — it’s dreams. She wants to keep acting, keep reading, and one day, maybe even write her own stories. When asked what kind of roles she likes best, she grins: “The funny ones. I love making people laugh.”
Her laughter has become her strength — a way of telling the world that joy can exist even in pain, and that courage can come wrapped in tiny bones and big dreams.
At home, Avery’s days are filled with books, music, and laughter shared with her family. She loves helping her younger cousins with crafts, practicing her lines for the next play, and spending weekends with her best friend, who says Avery “always knows how to make things fun.”
Every time she steps on stage or into the pool, Avery carries with her the love of her family, the support of her school, and the care of her medical team. Together, they’ve built a circle of strength around her — one that keeps her standing tall, no matter how many times life tries to knock her down.
The doctors and nurses at Levine Children’s Hospital say Avery has become part of their family. “She’s taught us all something,” one nurse said. “About patience, perseverance, and the power of joy.”
And joy is what Avery gives — freely, endlessly, and without fear.
So today, as she continues to dream, perform, and inspire everyone she meets, Avery reminds us all of a powerful truth: strength isn’t measured in bones or bodies — it’s measured in heart.
From the stage lights to the hospital lights, she shines just the same — bright, brave, and beautifully unstoppable.
And as her care team put it best:
“Avery, thank you for trusting us to care for you. We’re always cheering you on — from the front row.”
