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At 13 years old, Vincent found himself facing a painful and unexpected health challenge. What began as a nagging low back pain quickly escalated when he noticed blood in his urine. Alarmed, his family took him to urgent care, where the initial tests confirmed the presence of blood but also revealed a more serious issue: a kidney stone. The urgent care team, recognizing the severity, referred them to the Nemours Children’s Health, Lakeland and then to the hospital in Orlando for further evaluation. “I was nervous about the wait time, but their staff worked to fit us in quickly,” says Vincent’s mom, Jessica. “From the beginning, they were responsive and attentive.” The pain Vincent was experiencing disrupted every aspect of his daily life. “He couldn’t rest, enjoy his normal activities, or even feel comfortable sitting or lying down,” Jessica explains. “It was also very stressful for me as a parent […]

Peter, a child with Down syndrome adopted from Hong Kong at the age of 3, has faced numerous health challenges throughout his life. His journey, including multiple surgeries and comprehensive care, is a testament to the importance of dedicated medical support. Peter’s health issues were first identified when his parents noticed he wasn’t thriving. After consulting several specialists, a podiatrist with training at Nemours Children’s referred them to Nemours Children’s Health. After several tests, Peter received a critical diagnosis: his C1-C2 vertebrae were not fused, posing a significant risk to his spinal cord. In September 2017, Peter underwent a lifesaving C1-C2 fusion surgery performed by Dr. William Mackenzie and Dr. Jeffrey Campbell at Nemours. Following the surgery, Peter showed remarkable improvements in various areas, including potty training, communication, and education. However, his journey was far from over as Peter was still experiencing complications with his foot. Further examinations with Dr. […]

During an annual scoliosis screening at Sayuri’s middle school, one of the nurses noticed something unusual about her back. “I remember the nurse checking my back and pointing out that I twisted more to one side, and there was asymmetry with one side rising higher than the other,” Sayuri shares. “She told me that the case is most likely mild or moderate, as the condition was common and those of a higher severity were rare. I was sent home with a letter to my parents to get my back checked.” Sayuri’s initial X-rays confirmed the nurse’s suspicions. “When I got my x-rays done, I was told that I had moderate scoliosis, with a recommendation for a back brace to keep the curve from progressing,” says Sayuri. The diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, characterized by a severe S curve, meant that her life would require some adjustments. As Sayuri grew older, […]

Our daughter Kinsley’s story began with a broken leg at a very young age. When the cast came off, she refused to walk. Although she showed some other symptoms like a relentless fever and sleeping a lot, “we never anticipated she had cancer,” her parents added.  “Kinsley was diagnosed at age 2 with a very rare form of leukemia known as near haploid B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This type of leukemia makes up less than 1% of all leukemias worldwide, and comes with a very dismal prognosis.” The months that followed were painful and overwhelming. Kinsley suffered severe side effects during and after treatment. “Watching your child suffer through this horrendous journey is gut-wrenching. It’s brutal, especially when as a parent you can’t do anything but sit on the sidelines and watch. Watch and pray,” her parents said. Despite the challenges, Kinsley showed incredible resilience. She had four bone marrow […]

As a young athlete, Erin had faced her share of injuries, requiring her to go through physical therapy (PT) several times. These transformative experiences that ignited a passion within her. “The care I received sparked a desire to help others regain their ability to participate in the sports and activities they love,” Erin reflects. Initially, she envisioned a career focused on pediatric rehabilitation, driven by her understanding of the challenges young athletes face. However, during her physical therapy schooling, a neurology rotation at the MS Comprehensive Care Center exposed her to world of neurologic rehabilitation.” I was drawn to the complexity and challenge of working with the neurologic population and discovered a passion for adaptive equipment,” says Erin. After graduating, Erin gained valuable experience in both acute care and outpatient settings. Her skills and knowledge grew with each patient she treated. A few years into her career, she was encouraged […]

Brittany’s path to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware wasn’t just a series of steps, but a journey fueled by a passion for helping others. Growing up, Brittany had a special bond with her younger cousin, whom she affectionately called her “Little Buddy.” Her cousin was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). Watching him navigate daily challenges and seeing the transformative power of physical therapy (PT) in his life made an impact on Brittany. “The first time I went to his PT session, I instantly knew it was what I wanted to do when I grew up,” shares Brittany. “It is not often that you choose a career when you are so young and it comes true, but for me it did. I work every day in my cousin’s honor, who passed away at a young age.” At Nemours Children’s, Brittany’s role as a Physical Therapist and Cerebral Palsy (CP) Lead in the […]