2006 Franciscan Profile in Children's Courage Award

Norah Jane Scholl

On August 11th, 1991, Grady and D.J. Scholl gave birth to a baby girl, Norah Jane. However, Norah's birth was different from most children's. Norah was born with numerous complications from birth defects, and was immediately taken by ambulance to Children's Hospital Boston. During her 6 week stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit there, she had numerous surgeries to repair her gastroschisis.

She was then transferred to FranciscanHospital  for Children  where under the direction of Dr. Jane O'Brien, Norah began a two month rehabilitation before heading home to Cape Cod for the first time. She was diagnosed with Arthrogryposis-Amyoplasia, which in laymen's terms, means stiff joints and lack of muscle.

This disorder leaves her with limited use of her legs, and no one knows for sure what the future will bring. Norah is confident that her surgeon, Dr. Brian Snyder and the doctors and staff at FranciscanHospital for Children as well as Children's Hospital Boston will help her maximize her physical ability. Depite the physical challenges that Norah has faced, it hasn't stopped this 15 year old sophomore from participating in activities such as skiing, singing in the school chorus, and scuba diving.

Norah is an active member of the Maine Handicapped Skiing Program, a free skiing program for handicapped children, located at SundayRiver Ski area in Maine. Norah has her own Bi-ski, has competed in numerous downhill races with her father, and also spends time skiing  with her cousins in Colarado. Living on Cape Cod, she of course swims frequently, and can swim under water and hold her breath for 25 seconds; owns her own scuba equipment; and is learning to dive in the ocean.

Last year, Norah spent time snorkeling in the Florida Keys. Norah is very proficient on the computer and types over 50 words a minute with accuracy, and has produced numerous PowerPoint presentations, two of which her dad has used to present to his clients. Norah's plans for the future are to attend college in the Boston area; keep her brother out of her room; and meet a nice young man her age....