Community Supports Brightwood Man Undergoing Leg Lengthening Surgery

For nearly 50 years, Brightwood resident Nathan Mills has lived with an imbalance. At birth, his right leg was shorter than his left. And even after surgeries in his youth to keep his left leg from outgrowing his right, Mills was left with a four-inch difference between the two. 

This has required creativity — such as specially lifted shoes — and years of pain management. 

Even so, Mills operates with a very positive mentality in his daily life, choosing to “focus on the things you can control.” 

“There’s only so much, living in a body, that you can control,” he said, citing the serenity prayer as a source of wisdom he lives by. “Up until now this hasn’t been something I can control.” 

Nov. 24, Mills underwent surgery to lengthen his right leg. This is a procedure he’d explored multiple times before but felt stopped either by cost, insurance’s unwillingness to pay, or other factors. 

“I’d written this off a long time ago, but now suddenly it’s on the table,” Mills explained in the weeks leading up to his surgery. “Every piece just seems to be falling into place.” 

One aspect that has kept this goal unattainable for Mills in the past is the thought of lost income from not being able to work during his months-long recovery period. Mills is a massage therapist for an accident care practice in Gresham, and will not be able to work for about 4-6 months. 

Knowing his time spent in bed or on crutches would impact his income, as well as that of his wife Heather, the couple decided to try posting a GoFundMe for support. The money will help defer hardships caused by Mills’ time out of work and also the cost of some alternative therapies to help with his healing (which aren’t covered by insurance). 

As of Nov. 16, the Mills had raised 92% of their $18,000 goal — $16,498 — since publishing the GoFundMe page on Oct. 25. 

“I’ve had a lot of support from the community,” Mills said, and this felt like another sign to him that he was meant to undergo this procedure now. 

He added that while some might question the point of having this leg lengthening done now, as he’s lived decades without it, Mills explained that this is about bettering his quality of life going forward and giving him a healthier life into the future. 

The imbalance Mills lives with causes chronic pain as well as impacts day-to-day experiences some might take for granted. 

“Something that might seem trivial: I’ve had the same person making my shoes since I was 6, and that person is planning to retire soon,” Mills explained. “It’s actually hard to find shoes that I’m able to have a lift put on.” 

He added that he’s tried three different Portland-area cobblers, sending in shoes to be modified and having them returned in unusable condition, and resigned himself to sending shoes out of state to be built properly. 

With that one cobbler retiring, Mills isn’t sure how he’d have shoes made in the future. 

The goal of the surgery he underwent on Nov. 24 was to give Mills at least two more inches on his right leg — three if he’s lucky. 

Even deciding to have the surgery was no small feat. 

Mills said: “I have a healthy distrust of the healthcare system” because of past experiences with Western medicine. 

“I’ve always taken care of my body,” Mills explained. “I’ve always really been able to take care of my body naturally. The fact that I’m even doing this is a leap of faith.” 

Fortunately, a recent experience with another surgeon restored some of his faith, and reading positive reviews for Lake Oswego-based leg lengthening expert Dr. Stephen Wallace has inspired him to move forward. 

Despite the odds, Mills has always been a very active person, so one of the other bigger challenges of his recovery will be the inability to move in ways he’s accustomed to. He’s been ramping up his mindfulness practices and embracing meditation. 

On his GoFundMe page, Mills also asks for community support by way of companionship for his wife during his recovery. He has entreated the couples’ friends to make sure Heather “gets out of the house” and makes time for herself outside of being his caretaker. “I feel grateful daily that I have (Heather’s) support,” Mills said. 

In the weeks prior to his surgery, Mills naturally has some concerns — as anyone facing such a major procedure would — but his overall outlook seems to be optimistic. 

He is looking forward to things he’ll be able to do after recovery that were once only dreams for him. 

“I’ve always wanted to walk on the beach with both feet on the sand; that’s kind of a driving image for me,” Mills explained. “That’s one of those little things maybe people don’t think about.” 

While living with his imbalance has been a challenge, Mills said he feels like the hardship has also “polished” him in a way. He added that his life until now has not been a bad life – merely a challenging one. 

“If I had to live with this the rest of my life, I’d live a fine life,” Mills said.

But he’s ready for a new chapter — in balance. 

If you are able or inclined to give to Mills’ GoFundMe, you can do so by visiting gofundme.com/f/help-nathan-walk-in-balance. 

If any funds go unused, Mills has committed to donating them to another person with a similar need or to a facility like Shriner’s Hospital, which helped him in his youth.