GILROY
– At only 5 years old, Gilroy tike Alexandria Solorio already
has developed a fetish for stylish shoes. Her closet is filled with
a collection of colorful sneakers – decorated with her favorite
cartoon characters and toys including Buzz Lightyear from
”
Toy Story,
”
Spiderman and, of course, those lovable red fire engines.
GILROY – At only 5 years old, Gilroy tike Alexandria Solorio already has developed a fetish for stylish shoes. Her closet is filled with a collection of colorful sneakers – decorated with her favorite cartoon characters and toys including Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story,” Spiderman and, of course, those lovable red fire engines.
Alexandria’s parents are happy to indulge her – usually scouring the Gilroy outlets and local shoe stores whenever she gets an itch for a new pair. Her latest hunt was for shoes featuring the ever-popular Power Rangers. Alexandria’s godmother finally found the Power Rangers shoes Alexandria so desired at a Target store in Hollister.
“These shoes are more for her to play with at home,” said Alexandria’s mother Suzy Solorio, who is hoping to ease her daughter away from her desire for shoes before there is an overflow.
Alexandria – who must wear a better quality orthopedic shoe like Nike or Stride Rite for support when she goes out with her prostheses – was born with an undetectable disorder that developed in the womb, leaving her without both feet and with only one full arm.
The bashful youngster has never let her lack of three limbs stand in her way. The brown-haired, brown-eyed firecracker who is always quick to smile is as active as any other child her age. She skateboards. She plays on the swings. She even rides a bike.
Crafting the prostheses
Since her birth, Alexandria has been fitted for four different prostheses to match her growth spurts at the Center For Independent Rehabilitative Services at Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto.
“We start with a cast or mold of the limb, and then the prosthesis is custom-made from that mold to fit her legs,” said practitioner Gary Berk, who fitted Alexandria’s last two pairs of prostheses. “It’s like a pair of custom shoes. It’s a very intimate fit. After a year in a growing child, they no longer fit appropriately, so we refit them up to age 16.”
The prostheses are basically made of thermo-set plastic with a liquid resin that permeates or saturates into the material – which consists of a carbon fiber nylon. The prosthesis suspends on the limb, called “anatomical suspension.” Because of the shape of the leg, the prosthesis uses the individual’s anatomy to stay in place. Alexandria’s lightweight prostheses weigh a combined pound and a half.
With her prostheses on, Alexandria remains active and blends in with her fellow classmates at the Gilroy Unified State Preschool on Ninth Street. Alexandria started preschool this year in Karen Hagen’s class, which mixes mainstream kids from low-income families with children with special needs including autism and attention deficit/hyperactive disorder. The school term runs from August to June with three-and-a-half-hour sessions five days a week.
At first, her classmates did notice the differences – but they quickly learned that despite those differences, Alexandria is just one of the class. Hagen has only told the kids that Alexandria has trouble walking.
“She was zipping through the playground one day, and her prostheses fell off. Next thing you know she was handing them around,” Hagen said of Alexandria, who always scores above-average on the state exams. “I know she knows she is (a little different). But it doesn’t seem to phase her. She can do almost everything. It’s amazing how you can adapt.”
Goal to play soccer
Along with regularly attending preschool, Alexandria also developed a growing interest in sports and wanted to add another type of shoe to her collection – soccer cleats. But Alexandria – nicknamed “Alley Cat” by her family and friends – had to do some convincing before her parents felt comfortable that she could handle the stress on her legs while playing soccer.
“Her brothers and sisters play basketball. They’re all real active. Alexandria would go to their games and their practices,” Suzy Solorio said. “She got frustrated watching. She wanted to play. So when the soccer season came around, we decided to try it out.”
While mom was the first one sold that Alexandria could cope with her disability on the soccer field, dad was a little more reluctant to have his young daughter play on a team.
“I didn’t really worry. Dad did. He was afraid she was going to get hurt because of the weight of the prostheses,” Suzy said. “When she was little, we had a lot of concerns about her being able to play sports. Now, it’s nice to see her do it.”
“I just get a little more nervous. I still worry,” Alex Solorio added. “It’s something she has to want to do. There’s no pressure.”
There was still one more person Alexandria had to meet before she was placed onto a team within the Gilroy Parks and Recreation Co-Ed Youth Soccer League. After her parents agreed to give it a shot, Alexandria and her mom approached the Gilroy Parks and Recreation Department to see if they would let her play.
“She came down with me, and we met with the director, and we went ahead and signed her up,” Suzy Solorio said. “They didn’t see any reason why she couldn’t play.”
Youth Soccer Coordinator Anita Ritt left it up to the parents.
“I told the mom if she’s comfortable with her daughter playing, then it is fine with us,” Ritt said. “I saw her playing this past Saturday. I think it’s good for the little girl and good for the kids on her team.”
Alexandria is now playing in her first season with the Panthers co-ed soccer team – which has weekly games Saturdays at the Gavilan Sports Park.
“I like kicking the ball. I like playing the whole game,” said Alexandria with a wide smile that showed her four missing front teeth. “I want to play basketball and football, too.”
Her desire to play sports began while watching her older siblings – 13-year-old Stephanie and 9-year old A.J. – play basketball and tee-ball in the local city leagues.
But watching sports on television with her father is what clinched her athletic interest. Together, Alex and Alexandria sit at home – cheering on their favorite teams such as the Oakland Raiders and the Los Angeles Lakers.
“She watches all the big sports with her dad all the time. They just have their bond. When they’re together, they are in their own world. When it comes to sports, they are in a zone in their own world,” Suzy said. “It’s amazing how she just knows the teams. I look at her and say, ‘How do you know that?’ It’s amazing.”
Suzy hopes that Alexandria can be an inspiration to other kids with disabilities who want to play sports. She already is proving that anyone can accomplish their goals as long as they put their mind to it.
“We teach her that there are no limitations,” Suzy said. “We make her feel as comfortable as possible.”
Putting her ‘legs’ to the test
Alexandria had to first put her prostheses to the test. On the first day of practice, she was introduced to her new coach, Steve Chiasson – whose grandson also plays on the team.
“I talked to her mom the day I found out I was coaching her daughter. It’s no big deal. She’s been doing great. She gets out there and gets in the middle of them,” said Chiasson, a first-year coach. “She keeps up with them. She always tries. She never gives up. She’s always where the action is at.”
Doesn’t complain about pain
Although her prostheses sometimes fall off or shift while she’s playing, Alexandria does not complain about any pain, and all it takes is a quick adjustment for her to return to action. She does have to work harder to keep up with her teammates and get a whack at the ball, but there is no quit in her.
The Panthers hold weekly practices at the Gavilan Sports Park – where the players learn about the game and run through drills. One particular Wednesday, Alexandria showed up in full uniform. As mom sat in her soccer chair with the rest of the parents, Alexandria practiced with her teammates – kicking the ball with her right leg prosthesis and dragging her left leg prosthesis.
“She tries to keep up with them,” Suzy said. “She just keeps on going. It’s amazing just to see her go.”
Before practice got into full swing, one of Alexandria’s prostheses shifted slightly so Suzy gave it a little twist and Alley Cat was back on the field – hustling to get a touch on the soccer ball. After Alexandria trailed the action and did not get a touch on the ball, Coach Chiasson set up the ball in the middle of the practice field so Alexandria could start things with a kick.
“I treat her just like she’s one of the kids. She gets no special treatment. I treat her like I do everyone else,” the coach said. “It’s great. I’m happy she’s on my team. If I ever coach again, I’d be happy to have her on the team again.”
In the Panthers’ first game, Alexandria – who wears jersey number 12 – played goaltender to start. But that wasn’t enough. At her request, Chiasson moved her out to forward and defense.
“She wanted to be out there running. She was like, ‘I don’t want to be standing here,’ so they put her in the field,” Suzy said. “If she wants to do it next year or change (to another sport), then that’s fine, too.”
A brief water break was all Alexandria needed during the game, and then she anxiously wanted to get back in.
“When they took her out to get some water, she didn’t want to sit out. She wanted to play the rest of the game,” her mom said. “A lot of people are really amazed. They don’t even realize she is wearing prostheses. I let the refs know before the game just so they know. They’re all really blown away by it. They’re really good to her.”
After being told that her granddaughter was playing soccer, Rosie Selgado had to go out and see for herself. She was also amazed by what she saw.
“I went to her first game and really loved it,” Rosie said. “She’s just running, keeping up with the other kids.”
And her prostheses are holding up just fine.
“The prostheses are designed to tolerate pressure, but that doesn’t mean they don’t break,” said Berk when he learned about Alexandria playing soccer. “I think it’s wonderful. It’s great for her self-esteem and overall health. … We really encourage it. I love a prosthesis that comes back dirty, broken and well-used.”
Earlier this month, Suzy gave birth to a 9-pound, 10-ounce baby boy named Anthony. So Alexandria is no longer the baby of the family, and that’s just fine with her.
“She loves (having a younger brother),” Suzysaid. “She’s so excited. She’s been the baby for five years, but that’s all she talks about – her baby brother.”
And all of those shoes that Alexandria has been collecting will soon be passed on to her younger brother – who can always get some soccer tips from his older sister.
