Many ultra-runners choose to have a team of crew members and pacers to help them make it through the long miles. Crew members often meet the runner several times during the race and can provide gear, food, and hydration, as well as mental and emotional support along the course. Pacers are individuals who are not running the actual race but who join the runner for sections to help keep the runner safe, on pace, and maybe even provide some entertainment and distraction to help the miles pass. I am beyond blessed to have several friends who I have met through my hip dysplasia journey who are willing to sacrifice time away from work, family, and other life commitments to support me during this adventure. In doing so, they helping to support the International Hip Dysplasia Institute and our greater mission! Please enjoy their stories below about their hip dysplasia journeys and how they continue to move forward.
Shannon and Brent Carroll (Ohio)
Hi, we are Brent and Shannon Carroll from Cincinnati, OH.
Shannon and Nancy met through a mutual friend during her time in Cincinnati. Our friendship started as strictly hip dysplasia talk and quickly blossomed into an incredible friendship. We have supported each other through bilateral PAO’s – tears, laughs, cheers, and everything in between.
Shannon’s Story…
I’m a wife, mother of two and fitness lover. I was diagnosed and treated in infancy with the 80’s version of the Pavlik harness, triple cloth diapers. After years of hip, back and lower extremity pain in my teen and young adult years, I went to see a hip preservation surgeon at 32. To my surprise, I was diagnosed with moderate hip dysplasia and hip preservation surgery was suggested. My pain was not a result of years of high impact championship Irish dancing and distance running or “getting older.” I felt a sense of relief. My pain was validated and there was something that could be done to help. After seeking out multiple opinions, I decided to move forward with bilateral hip preservation surgery. This journey has not been linear. I have encountered unexpected bumps that have challenged my faith. At my lowest points, I questioned if the pain would end… if my body would heal… if I made the right decision to have surgery. After 3 years, 6 surgeries, and countless PT appointments, I’m thrilled to share that my hips have never felt better! I made the right decision to have surgery. I am so thankful for my husband, friends (Nancy! and our aupairs) and family that have made these surgeries and recoveries possible.
Brent’s Story…
I’m a husband, Dad, and marathon runner than grew up in Austin, TX. Our daughter Katharine was born in January 2015 via emergency C-section due to her being breech. Standard protocol led us to follow up with an orthopedist to rule out hip dysplasia. During that visit, family history was brought up, and with my wife Shannon having had history with dysplasia dating back to childhood, it led to her also getting evaluated. That is when Shannon was diagnosed (again) with dysplasia at the age of 32, and her first PAO surgery was scheduled (after months of discussions, research, second opinions and prayers) for later that year. As a husband to a PAO warrior, I know it’s an understatedly arduous journey. These past years have been more than trying on Shannon (and secondly, myself). But the support she received from family/extended family/friends has helped guide us through it, and after six surgeries spanning two and a half years, her hips are finally showing signs of recovery, with only one screw/bolt removal surgery on the horizon. By the way, Katharine is great and dysplasia-free, but it’s so fortunate that we made that a appointment!
We are thrilled to support Nancy’s 1st century run to raise awareness and funds for IHDI. Brent, an experienced marathoner, will serve as an overnight pacer, his 1st trail run! He is determined to keep Nancy awake and moving with plenty of Dad jokes. Shannon, a retired runner, will serve as a crew person on the ready with hydration and snacks and gear.
Genn Gibbs (Colorado)
My name is Genn and I am a distance runner with bilateral mild hip dysplasia and excessive femoral anteversion. As a baby, my mom noticed my hips seemed “funny” and my legs rotated in a lot. My pediatrician told her that my hips would be fine and I would grow out of it. I continued to grow and develop without problems, and I began to run in middle school and continued running competitively until my late twenties when I developed mild hip pain—first on my left side, and shortly after, on my right side. My symptoms were mild and inconsistent, and I sought out several opinions from highly regarded hip specialists across the country. While all of the hip specialists agreed that I had bilateral hip dysplasia, there was less agreement as to what was the appropriate course of action—conservative treatments, bilateral scopes, or bilateral PAOs with or without femoral osteotomies. While I am incredibly thankful to currently be pain free with conservative treatments after years of extensive physical therapy and consistent soft tissue work, I am always aware that my luck may run out and I am thankful to have had a swift diagnosis, excellent physical therapy, and a plan of action when my pain returns. I know many others are not as lucky and sometimes go years without a diagnosis or a plan to address their pain. I am also thankful to have connected with other inspiring, persistent, patient, and strong women along the route of my hip dysplasia journey; they have made something very scary easier to accept. While I am no longer running competitively, I am running regularly with a newfound appreciation, and I never take a single step for granted.
Stacey Sarber (Massachusetts)
My name is Stacey and I’m a distance runner (and general outdoor enthusiast) with bilateral hip dysplasia. I started experiencing pain when I was 19, during college cross country season, where I saw an orthopedic who confirmed what we already knew was likely – hip dysplasia. My mothers side of the family has many counts of hip dysplasia – my mom, aunt, grandfather, and great grandmother are/were likewise afflicted. By the time I was diagnosed I had already seen my mom go through bilateral FO’s, a hip replacement, and hip revision. It made the decision for surgery easy for me as I already knew what life would look like if I waited. So at 27 I had an LPAO and hardware removal 5 months later. Initially I was to have both of my hips done but my surgeon decided to hold off on the second, as it was no longer symptomatic after the first surgery. Here I am, now 4 years later, running to my hearts content, having found a great love to hiking along the way, and I’m so thankful for the people that this crazy obsure surgery have brought into my life!
