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Patient Stories

Living Life to the Fullest: Carly’s Journey with Morquio Type A

For Carly, the journey to a Morquio Type A diagnosis began with uncertainty. As a young child, there were signs that something wasn’t quite right, and her parents embarked on a quest for answers. After a lot of testing and a few misdiagnoses, it wasn’t until Carly was around a year and a half old that a local doctor stumbled upon a small paragraph in a textbook about Morquio Type A, setting the stage for a lifelong medical journey. When her physician, Dr. Kopis from St. Jose Hospital, could no longer practice, Carly’s journey led her to the care of Dr. William Mackenzie at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. With expertise in skeletal dysplasia, Nemours Children’s was the perfect fit for Carly, offering specialized care tailored to her needs. “From the beginning, my parents loved the care I received at Nemours,” says Carly. “My mom immediately transitioned all of my doctors to […]

The Power of Community at Nemours Children’s Health

Laura, Jess, Ginny, and Jasmine are remarkable mothers whose paths crossed through their children’s diagnoses. Through shared experiences and care teams, this group of women have formed lasting friendships. Their children, Charlette, Noah, Gino, and Jeremiah, share the diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and receive compassionate care from the exceptional team at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Under the guidance of dedicated clinicians such as Dr. Ricki Carroll, Dr. Jeanne Franzone, Tina McGreal, APRN, Licensed Genetic Counselor Andrea Schelhaas, Sarah Little, PA-C, Katie Harp, LCSW, and many more, these children are thriving in a nurturing environment full of hope. United by a common journey, Laura, Jess, Ginny, and Jasmine were introduced to each other via an online group for parents of children with OI. Through these Facebook groups dedicated to OI, they discovered a community where fears were conquered, victories celebrated, and wisdom exchanged. Laura recalls the moment when she first […]

Osteogenesis Imperfecta Awareness Week: Mackenzie’s Story

In the world of healthcare, finding a place that feels like home can be a challenge. For Amanda, mother of 4-year-old Mackenzie, that home is Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Mackenzie’s journey with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) began even before she took her first breath. At just 25 weeks, Amanda learned of her daughter’s diagnosis. “I went for a routine anatomy scan while pregnant. Significant bowing in Mackenzie’s legs and long limb measurements indicated that she would need more testing. I received an amnio and was sent to another hospital where she was diagnosed,” Amanda recalls. Transitioning Mackenzie’s care to Nemours Children’s was a pivotal moment for their family. They discovered the facility after finding recommendations on social media. “We are part of a group on Facebook for parents of children with OI,” says Amanda. “I was asking questions when Mackenzie broke her arm at 10 days old and someone recommended we […]

Compassionate Care: Cruz’s Story

“At the 20-week ultrasound, I learned about his skeletal dysplasia,” Brittany recalls. “And at the 33-week Vistara blood test, I learned about his OI diagnosis.” These moments marked the beginning of Cruz’s journey, but they also sparked Brittany’s search for the best care possible for her son. It was during her 35th week of pregnancy that Brittany discovered the Advanced Delivery Program (ADP) at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, thanks to a recommendation on the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Community Facebook page. “Their care, communication, and knowledge gave us extreme confidence in the ADP Team,” says Brittany. “They had a plan, relayed it to us, listened to our concerns, and had experience delivering OI babies.” The support Brittany received from the medical staff at Nemours Children’s during the delivery process was nothing short of extraordinary. “They showed compassion during every step,” Brittany emphasizes. “They helped keep me calm by talking about my 2-year-old […]

From Pitch to Progress: Jarnum’s Story

In the world of sports, injuries are often seen as setbacks, hurdles that athletes must overcome to get back to doing what they love. For Jarnum, a 15-year-old elite soccer player, a left knee lateral meniscus tear threatened to impact his game. Jarnum is the youngest player in a semi-professional USL2 academy league for Swan City Soccer Club in Lakeland. He holds the distinction of being the youngest player ever to score a goal in the USL2, helping his team secure their sole victory of the season. Unfortunately, it was during his time with this team that Jarnum sustained his injury. While engaged in a defensive play, he collided with another player, resulting in the tear to his left knee. Jarnum’s mother, Authrine, recalls the moment when their journey with Nemours began. “Dr. Julia Fink could tell that it was a meniscus tear right away,” she says. “But she wanted […]

Axel’s Pectus Excavatum

From a young age, Axel’s family had noticed the unusual appearance of his chest. They took him to see a few different providers, but they were told that his chest was not responsible for his symptoms, and it was only a cosmetic defect. It wasn’t until Axel needed a checkup and couldn’t get into his regular pediatrician that his mom searched for another pediatrician. At that appointment, Axel asked his mom once again to mention his chest, and although hesitant due to their past experiences, she brought it up. This pediatrician immediately noticed that something was wrong and referred them to Dr. Kellianne Kleeman, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. Dr. Kleeman mapped out a detailed care plan that included a minimally invasive surgery to repair his pectus excavatum. Axel says, “When Dr. Kleeman showed us the picture in clinic—that was the first time I saw my […]

From Patient to Pre-Med: Maddie’s Story

At 13 years old, Maddie Walsh was diagnosed with melanoma. This unexpected turn led her to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, where she found a supportive community that became like family. Maddie’s journey began with the discovery of a change in a mole she had since childhood. A dermatologist family member recognized the signs and urged her to seek medical attention. Following a biopsy and consultations with various pathologists, Maddie received the diagnosis of malignant melanoma from Chief of the Division of Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery, Dr. Brian Kellogg. “I was 13 when I first heard I was going to see a plastic surgeon. I was very confused because I only knew them by the stereotypes on TV,” says Maddie. “However, I quickly learned that was far from what Dr. Kellogg and his team does. When I first heard the word ‘cancer,’ my mind jumped to the worst. I was terrified. […]

Limb Loss & Limb Differences Awareness Month: Jaiden’s Story

Jaiden’s medical journey began with a diagnosis of Fibular Hemimelia during a routine anatomy scan at just 20 weeks into his mother, Megan’s, pregnancy. Little did they know, this diagnosis would lead them to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Upon learning about her son’s condition, Megan was very shocked. “It was unexpected, but we knew we had to do everything we could to give Jaiden the best chance at a fulfilling life,” she shares. “Though Jaiden always got around fine, if he didn’t have surgery, his legs would be drastically uneven and would not be able to walk.” Their journey with Nemours Children’s began in 2012 when Megan sought a second opinion on Jaiden’s condition. “A family friend suggested Nemours, and from the moment we walked through the doors, we knew we were in good hands,” Megan reflects. Dr. L. Reid Nichols, a renowned pediatric orthopedic surgeon, became an integral part […]

Donate Life Month: Luca’s Story

From the moment he was born, Luca has been full of surprises. He entered the world in February 2022, a month earlier than expected. Anticipating a baby girl, complete with a gender reveal celebration, Luca’s parents were surprised by his arrival. Their anatomy scan’s mistaken prediction left them pleasantly surprised by their baby boy. Shortly thereafter, concerns arose regarding Luca’s kidney health, along with some unfavorable lab results. Luca was transported to the NICU and later taken to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “When the doctors at Inspira Mullica Hill started to get an inkling that Luca had serious kidney issues, they recommended right away that we be transferred to Nemours Children’s,” says his mother, Cory. “We appreciated their honesty so much, as they explained to us that they didn’t have the capability to deal with Luca appropriately. One doctor even said that if this was his child, he would have […]

Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month: Cara’s Story

Cara’s story started when she was very young, and her family sought medical help to understand why she fell often. After visits to various specialists, including optometrists, orthopedists, and neurologists, an MRI revealed a spinal cord tumor. Three days later, Cara underwent surgery, leaving her left leg without any feeling or ability to control movement. This led to several years of KFO braces, rehabilitation, emotional processing, and accidental injuries that posed diagnostic challenges due to the lack of sensation in her leg. Cara received a diagnosis of Charcot joint in her knee, after numerous bone infections, surgeries, and prolonged hospital stays. By the time Cara was entering the eighth grade, she decided she wanted her life to have more freedom from her diagnosis. Compiling her thoughts into a comprehensive letter, Cara presented her case for leg amputation to Elizabeth W. Snyder Endowed Chair in Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Dr. Jeanne Franzone, and […]

Donate Life Month: Everlee’s Story

Everlee’s story begins with a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer, at the age of 17 months. Her mother, Jenna, recalls the moment when she first noticed something amiss with her daughter’s health. “It was right around Christmas of 2022,” says Jenna. As first-time parents, Jenna and Jarod couldn’t shake the feeling that Everlee’s belly seemed larger than normal. Despite reassurances from pediatricians, inklings of concern persisted, especially when family members echoed their observations. “Something just seemed off,” says Jenna. “I was giving her a bath one day, and I laid her out on the towel and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, she just looks so bloated.’” Alarmed, Jenna wasted no time in seeking medical attention. She was able to get Everlee in to see her local pediatrician at their last appointment for the day on Friday, January 13th. The routine examination led to the discovery of a […]

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Hudson’s Story

Hudson’s journey with cerebral palsy began at just 3 months old when he was diagnosed with polymicrogyria. His parents, determined to give him the best care possible, sought out specialized treatment. Their quest led them to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida where they found not just medical expertise, but a supportive community dedicated to Hudson’s well-being. Before Nemours Children’s, Hudson had already undergone care at various children’s hospitals in North Carolina and Colorado. However, it was when they were referred to Nemours that Hudson’s family found a comprehensive approach to his care, encompassing not just medical treatment but also emotional support and encouragement. “We love Nemours,” Hudson’s mom shares. “Every encounter we have with doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff has been exceptional. Dr. Malone is just outstanding! He is approachable, caring and kind. I felt that he is fully committed to benefit the kids he serves. He is also an […]

Page 6 of 15

Page 6 of 15

Page 6 of 15