article_snippet.sent: By the time Jean was 12-years-old, Jean underwent a 'very painful' muscle transfer to prevent Jean knees from knocking together when Jean walked.
article_snippet.sent: Although Jean compared the physical agony to open heart surgery, Jean said Jean was glad Jean parents encouraged Jean to have the procedure, which helped Jean a great deal and helped to prevent Jean from tripping over Jean when Jean walked.
article_snippet.sent: Jean, who said Jean 'still can't get Jean knees to touch', noted that Jean was 'happy that it was a permanent procedure', although Jean would have done it again if needed.
article_snippet.sent: just two days later, on Easter Sunday, Jean stood for the first time without assistance.
article_snippet.sent: While Jean said that they took they time and had snacks along the way, Jean was amazed by Jean physical accomplishment. '
article_snippet.sent: I was so proud of Jean and thought that there are so many people in the world that physically can do stuff like this but choose not to,' Jean said. '
article_snippet.sent: And while Jean realized that there are so many things Jean wants to try now that Jean can, Jean still insists that Jean doesn't have any regrets about receiving Jean diagnosis so late in life.