When Josh Phillips came home last November with a nagging pain in his hip area, the immediate reaction was to chalk it up as one of the typical bumps and bruises an active 12- year-old is subjected to.

Unfortunately, the true diagnosis turned out to be far more serious. Josh was found to suffering from Legg-Calvé Perthes disease (LCPD), a rare disease of the hip that afflicts approximately one in 1,200 children.

It is even rarer for someone Josh’s age, since the average age of a Legg- Calvé patient is six.

He is scheduled to undergo surgery at Sick Kids hospital in Toronto August 3 and remain there for two days. Then he is set to return home to Orangeville with both legs in a cast and separated by an iron bar. His full rehabilitation is expected to take from two to four years.

Yet, if what is said by those who know him is true, Josh has the grit to slug it out and come out on top.

“I was far more stressed about it than he was,” said his mother Candice in recalling when they were first told of the true nature of the ailment. “He is a fighter, that’s for sure.”

Paul Kearney, who has come forward help organize fund-raising efforts for the family, concurs. “He’s a trooper. He never complains. As soon as I met Josh, I wanted to help him.”

LCPD is of unknown origin. It is known that bone death occurs in the ball of the hip due to an interruption in blood flow. As bone death occurs, the ball develops a fracture of the supporting bone. This fracture signals the beginning of bone reabsorption by the body. As bone is slowly absorbed, it is replaced by new tissue and bone.

The first symptoms characterized in LCPD are usually a limp and perhaps pain in the hip, groin, or knee (known as a referred pain). Often, a first symptom is limping during a child’s active play. They often cannot recall when they hurt themselves and may not experience much pain.

Other cases may not be diagnosed until some precipitating event (fall, twisting injury) leads to an xray that uncovers the previously undiagnosed LCPD.

An initial fund-raising effort happened on Sunday during a motorcycle show ‘n shine at the Deck Pub and Grill on Mill Street. The bikers and other guests donated a substantial amount and cash donations are still being accepted at the Deck.

Mr. Kearney says more formal fundraising ideas are currently being explored to help the family during the difficult early phase of Josh’s recovery.

Candice Phillips is grateful for the assistance that has already been offered. “The community’s been great,” she says. “My friends, my family and others have really stuck by us.”

Neighbour Gordon Flynn made a point of showing up Sunday to make a donation. “I’ve known this family for three years. They have always helped us out and asked for nothing in return.”

As for Josh, he’s focusing more on his video games these days, but still manages to tool around with his lacrosse stick from time to time.

He is also confident the Orangeville Northmen will take their third consecutive Minto Cup this year.

As for his predicament, Josh admits to being “kind of scared” at first. But he’s more at ease now, even though surgery is less than

month away.

Why? “Because,” he shrugs, I know I’ll get better.”