Britney Ruegsegger ~ Sister of Tissue Recipient
Littleton, CO ~ Age 19 ~ College student

Kacey Ruegsegger ~ Tissue Recipient
Littleton, CO ~ Age 23 ~ Nurse

Sisters

Sponsored by: AlloSource

“After my sister Kacey nearly lost her life at Columbine, I watched her life change dramatically,” said Britney Ruegsegger. Kacey’s right arm, shoulder and thumb were badly injured in the worst high school shooting in United States history. A shoulder allograft specialist decided to use cadaveric bone to replace her humerus, and a hand specialist used allograft to repair her thumb. Said Britney, “I stood by her side every step of the way. I am so thankful for the doctors who are able to help people in Kacey’s situation, as well as for the people who donate bones to help save others.” Today, Kacey is coping with her disabilities well and appreciative of the abilities she does have thanks to bone donation.

Growing up in Colorado I was always a quiet girl, close to my family of two brothers, a sister and wonderful parents. After a rough couple of years at a different high school, I transferred to Columbine High School as a junior. Being a quiet and shy girl, I did not hang out with a lot of classmates. But my best friend Lindsay and I would always go to my house for lunch. On the horrific day of April 20, 1999, Lindsay did not show up at the school. So, for the first time of the school year I decided to stay in the library during lunch. Little did I know my life would soon change forever.

Just minutes after sitting in the library, two students began the worst high school shooting in United States history. Starting in the parking lot they worked their way into the school and then the library. As a teacher ran in to tell us what was happening, all of us in the library ran to find a place to hide under tables and around chairs. All I could do was pray as I listened to bombs, gunshots and the awful words the boys yelled to us. Not long after they entered the room I looked over my shoulder to see a gun pointed at the boy behind me. As I plugged my ears and cringed in fear, a shotgun blasted, and then it was my turn. The 12-guage shotgun was now pointed at me. The devastating blast ripped through my shoulder and hand, and grazed my throat. After shooting me the boys continued killing and injuring classmates. Eventually, I found myself in the emergency room at St. Anthony’s Central Hospital.

The blast shattered the upper third of my right humerus, including the ball. Also, my rotator cuff, front capsule, and acromium were badly injured. Because I was plugging my ears, the blast tore a large hole in my right thumb. For almost a week doctors were trying to think of ideas on how to fix my shoulder, but nothing was making sense. Then, Dr. Ross Wilkins, a shoulder allograft specialist, decided to use cadaveric bone to replace my humerus. And Dr. Tom Mordick, a hand specialist, decided to also use allograft to repair my hand. Almost a week later, I was transferred to Presbyterian/St. Luke Hospital for this elaborate operation on April 26, 1999. These doctors had not handled this type of injury and operation before. The bones used in my shoulder and hand were recovered by AlloSource tissue bank in Denver, with which Dr. Wilkins works closely.

This bone donation has provided me an opportunity to use my arm and thumb. Although I have lost significant use and motion in my arm, this donation has permitted me to perform most daily activities. Dr. Wilkins has been able to share my story and allograft operation with many other doctors around the world, spreading the word about how valuable a bone donation can be to another person’s life. I too have had many occasions to share my story and faith, turning a tragedy into an opportunity to benefit others.

After my sister Kacey nearly lost her life at Columbine, I watched her life change dramatically. The first thing I remember is looking at Kacey laying in the ER not long after she arrived at the hospital. I made sure to tell her I loved her, knowing it could be the last time I saw her. Then, I went to the waiting area, hit my knees, and prayed that Kacey would live, even if God had to take her arm away. Soon after, a doctor came in and talked to my parents Greg and Darcey about some options for repairing Kacey’s shoulder. I remember sitting in shock as he told them how they could fuse her shoulder, amputate, or even use a metal ball as a humerus. It seemed to me that would be the last thing anyone should be thinking about at the time. However, it turns out the decision my parents needed to make had a huge impact on Kacey’s life today.

Although I spent time with Kacey during her recovery, doing everything I could to make her comfortable – decorating her room, washing her hair, painting her nails, meeting with the hundreds of visitors that came to see her, managing the flower arrangements outside her room, and trying to survive emotionally – my parents spent time making decisions about what to do with Kacey’s arm and hand, which had been severely wounded. I never even thought about the medical procedures that would have to take place, but I do remember one day walking down the hospital hallway with my dad and a doctor, and overhearing a conversation between them. My dad asked him if he was the best doctor. His reply: “I will do everything I can.” That answer was not good enough for my father. Soon after, he and my mom found a doctor that could do the job right: Dr. Wilkins, who had done many surgeries reconstructing arms with cadaveric bone. Thrilled, my parents chose him, and after a long surgery, Kacey was on her way home with a brand new arm.

Upon returning home from the hospital, Kacey was fearful and had to overcome the emotional roller coaster Columbine put her through. She also spent hours doing physical therapy, wrapping, icing, and placing her arm in slings or resting it high on stacks of pillows. I stood by her side every step of the way. My mom, some friends and I made Kacey special shirts that had Velcro on the sleeve of her injured arm so that she could dress herself easier. The first few weeks, our horse trainer, Barbie would help Kacey shower. For a few months Kacey slept with me in my room in order to feel safe. Then, once Kacey became a little stronger, she taught herself how to write her name with her left hand. My dad found every name and address he could of the thousands of people that reached out to us during that difficult time, and Kacey signed every thank you card we made. Balloons, posters, cards, sports jerseys, banners, food, flowers, paintings, and other gifts filled our house. It was truly amazing to see how Columbine affected the world. The thing I learned from that horrible experience is that no matter how bad the situation, good can come from it, with the right people and the right attitude.

As Kacey continued to recover, the reality of her eternal pain and struggle to survive physically began to set in. I watched her try to play volleyball, ride a horse, or even do her hair. As her sister, it was very difficult to sit back and understand why such a wonderful young woman had to suffer because two boys were not stopped of their sick crime. Still, it was good to see her have the ability to do what she could, though it was not even close to what she used to be able to do. But Kacey did not let the pain and physical struggles bring her down. She still had a determination to overcome her setbacks and be strong.

With the help of Dr. Wilkins, Kacey has come a long way physically. I remember she would always want to try riding again or snowboarding and he knew she would not take no for an answer (and still won’t), so he would have to say it’s not the best idea, but be careful! I am so thankful that Kacey had the option of using a cadaver bone in both her hand and shoulder. Without the bones she received, she would not have the abilities she does today. I am so thankful for the doctors who are able to help people in Kacey’s situation, as well as for the people who donate bones to help save others.

It has been tough watching Kacey progress through life after the Columbine shootings, but it has also been an enlightening experience watching her gain back some of the abilities we never thought she would have, had bone transplants not been an option. Today, Kacey is still strong, coping with her disabilities well, and appreciative of the abilities she does have thanks to bone donation.