At just 7 years old, Aryia has already shown remarkable strength and resilience on her journey with cerebral palsy. Diagnosed at 10 months, Aryia has faced her challenges head-on with the help of her dedicated family and the orthopedic team at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. It all started when Nina, Aryia’s mother, noticed something unusual after bringing her newborn daughter home. “Her legs would jerk constantly,” Nina recalls. But due to Aryia’s premature birth, doctors were hesitant to give a diagnosis right away. After a few months of evaluations, Aryia was officially diagnosed with cerebral palsy in September 2017. Before moving to Florida, Aryia’s family faced an overwhelming and complicated care plan while living in New York City. They frequently traveled between specialists, even going as far as Philadelphia for medical appointments. “Aryia’s muscle spasms caused her to cross her legs excessively, preventing her from standing or walking. We were […]
Amazingly Resilient: Addison’s Story
Meaghan remembers the early days of her daughter Addison’s life vividly. Diagnosed with a cleft palate just days after birth, Addison’s journey began with a challenge. “She was having a very difficult time breastfeeding and just didn’t seem interested in eating,” recalls Meaghan. Suspecting a possible lip tie, she asked a nurse to check Addison’s mouth. Instead, the nurse discovered a cleft palate. From that moment, Meaghan began the process of feeding Addison using a bottle with a valve. The cleft palate diagnosis impacted the Addison’s family’s daily routine significantly. With a 3-year-old son already keeping them busy, adjusting to Addison’s needs meant slowing down their usually fast-paced days. “In the very beginning, it would take about 45 minutes to an hour for one feeding,” says Meaghan. “With Addison struggling to eat, we had to take each day at a time.” However, with perseverance and patience, Addison began to improve […]