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In October 2016, three-year-old Gabriella’s and her family’s world changed in an instant. She was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of cancer that affects soft tissue. For her parents, Melissa and Shawn, time seemed to stand still. “So many emotions to describe that minute and the minutes, days, hours, weeks, months, and years since…” Melissa shares. But as they look back, their focus is on gratitude—on the people who stood beside them, the care that lifted them up, and the hope that carried them forward. Gabriella’s journey began under the care of Dr. Thacker, orthopedic surgeon at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “We remember the words he spoke to us,” Melissa recalled. “But more importantly, we remember that his tone and demeanor were filled with sympathy, concern, and hope.” From the very beginning, Dr. Thacker was more than a physician—he was a constant source of support. Through chemotherapy, amputation, infections, and […]

10-year-old Briar is no stranger to adventure. An active and energetic boy, he loved riding his mini bike—until a life-changing accident on September 18, 2024, left him with serious injuries. While riding, Briar was hit by a car, suffering fractures to his leg, both hands, clavicle, and skull, as well as trauma to his leg and chest. He was stabilized at the scene and airlifted to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, where a team of experts was ready to provide the care he needed. Briar’s injuries required immediate attention. Upon arrival at Nemours Children’s, he was rushed into surgery to repair his leg and chest. His care team, including Dr. Duke (Trauma surgery), Dr. Trionfo (Orthopedic surgery), Bernadette Fulweiler, APN (Wound Care), and Dr. Haas (Rehab Medicine), worked together to ensure he had the best possible outcome. Katie, Briar’s mom, recalls the overwhelming emotions of that day. “When we landed at Nemours, I […]

At 19 years old, Zoey is pursuing her dream of becoming a hairstylist while managing a complex medical condition. For the past seven years, she has dealt with frequent bathroom trips, urinary retention, and persistent pelvic pain—challenges that have impacted her daily life. But through it all, she has found expert care and unwavering support at Nemours Children’s Health. Zoey’s symptoms began when she was just 13. She noticed she was using the restroom 15-30 times a day, with nights just as difficult. Despite constantly feeling like she needed to use the restroom, she was often unable to release urine. The discomfort affected her ability to focus in school, spend time with friends, and simply go about her day. “This condition has taken over the way I live,” Zoey shared. Zoey’s search for answers led her to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, where she was connected with Dr. Hagerty, a urologist […]

Raising a child with cerebral palsy (CP) comes with unique challenges and triumphs. In this Q&A, Declan’s mom, Kianna, shares her family’s journey—from navigating his diagnosis to finding the right care team at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. She reflects on the impact of CP on their daily lives, the importance of expert support, and how Dr. Shrader and the CP team have given them hope for Declan’s future. What is the most challenging part of the day for Declan? Declan’s biggest day-to-day challenge is working around his mind-body interactions. He is a very active kid and loves to play games at recess with his friends, but his legs don’t always cooperate. He has always been able to find a way to adjust, but his competitive spirit means he gets frustrated with the limitations CP places on him. What is Declan’s favorite part of the day? Declan’s favorite part of the […]

At 12 years old, Kollin isn’t letting anything slow him down. A lifelong patient at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, Kollin’s journey to his narcolepsy diagnosis started when he found himself constantly exhausted. “My father has narcolepsy, so when I was tired all the time, my mom requested to have a sleep study done,” Kollin shares. A sleep study, also called a polysomnogram, is an overnight test that helps doctors diagnose sleep disorders, including narcolepsy. During the study, sensors are placed on different parts of the body to monitor breathing, brain activity, heart rate, and movement while a child sleeps. It provides essential information to guide treatment and improve sleep health. “I really don’t like sleep studies because of all the wires and goop in my hair,” shares Kollin. But after his second long sleep study, the results were clear—he had narcolepsy, just like his dad. The diagnosis meant he could […]

When Latoya welcomed her daughter, Rhy’lee, into the world, she had no idea how much resilience her little girl would have. Diagnosed at birth with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), Rhy’lee spent her first 45 days in the hospital, relying on medical equipment to survive. Over time, her challenges became clearer—cerebral palsy, lung issues, and a need for a G-tube. For years, Rhy’lee faced constant hospital stays, battling lung complications that made life uncomfortable for both her and her family. “She was in and out of the hospital back-to-back,” Latoya recalls. “She was so uncomfortable.” It wasn’t until Rhy’lee was 5 that her parents, Latoya and Devon, were introduced to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. A medical complex in downtown Orlando connected her with Dr. Aga Lewelt, and soon, Dr. Jason Malone and Dr. Alec Stall joined Rhy’lee’s care team. From that moment, everything changed. At Nemours, Rhy’lee’s family found more than expert […]