Sheepshead Bay parents say 2-year-old with amputated legs is motivated by twin brother to get stronger

It was a hard decision, but one that his parents felt was best. After the surgery, the doctor recommended East Coast Orthotic and Prosthetic to give the toddler the ability to walk on his own.

News 12 Staff

Nov 11, 2021, 10:16 PM

Updated 1,120 days ago

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A routine checkup during pregnancy prompted tough decisions by a Sheepshead Bay couple after they were told that one of their twins had a condition that could affect the rest of his life.
The Johnson brothers joke around like any set of identical twins, but there is one difference--2-year-old Christian Johnson had to have both his legs amputated when he was 1 years old. 
It was a hard decision, but one that his parents felt was best. After the surgery, the doctor recommended East Coast Orthotic and Prosthetic to give the toddler the ability to walk on his own. 
Christian has therapy three times a week to help him build up his strength and familiarize his body with the prosthetics. 
His parents say another advantage is having a twin brother to motivate him. "Competing with his brother and his brother makes him better and stronger each and every day. so, it's like they work together, and they also work against each other,” said Shaquille Johnson. 
Doctors say this is the best time for Christian to learn and that he’s ready to take off. 
His parents hope this will encourage him to never let anything get in the way of his dreams.