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Lincoln’s Journey with Dwarfism (In Mom’s Words)

In 2019, while pregnant with my second son, we learned that he would be born with dwarfism. Though both my husband and I are on the short side of average height, we did not have a lot of experience with dwarfism and were unsure of how that would impact our son’s quality of life. We did what all parents would do and learned as much as we could about dwarfism and connected with other families. In June of 2019, Lincoln was born 12 weeks early due to other pregnancy complications. His dwarfism diagnosis became an afterthought, and the focus became getting him to eat and breathe on his own as we struggled through an extended NICU stay. After being released from the NICU, Lincoln was followed by a local pediatrician and medical team, but after having a short-term episode of paralysis at 2 years old, they referred us to Nemours […]

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 […]

Back in the Game: Zander’s Story

Zander, an aspiring college football player, first crossed paths with Nemours Children’s Health after suffering a game-related injury. As luck would have it, Dr. Julia Fink, Nemours’ orthopedic specialist, was the team doctor on the field. After the game, Dr. Fink brought him in for an X-ray and MRI, setting the course for his recovery. The injury turned out to be an acromioclavicular joint separation (AC joint separation), which worsened during the state football championship game. Zander’s team went on to win the game, but his shoulder pain lingered, especially with throwing, even after physical therapy. To resolve the issue, Dr. Fink performed an AC joint reconstruction. Following surgery, Zander was in a sling for six weeks and underwent three months of physical therapy. By May, he was able to start his throwing program, and by August, he was ready to kick off the football season, stronger than ever. From […]

Urology Awareness Month: Kieva’s Story

10-year-old Kieva has faced many challenges in her young life. At the age of 3, she was diagnosed with bilateral vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), a condition that brought frequent UTIs and fevers. Kieva’s journey with VUR began after a series of high fevers and recurring UTIs left her parents, Tara and Tim, searching for answers. “The constant worry about whether a fever was another UTI and the potential damage being done to Kieva was overwhelming,” shares Tara, Kieva’s mom. “Each instance left us questioning if we had sought medical help in time and how this condition might impact her future.” Kieva’s condition led them to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, where they found the care and support they needed. Referred by Kieva’s primary care doctors at Nemours Children’s Health, Media, the family met with Dr. Figueroa, who quickly became a pillar of Kieva’s care. From the very first visit, Tara knew they […]

A Journey with Scoliosis and Chiari Malformation: Carter’s Story

When he was 9 months old, Carter’s parents began to notice something unusual about their son’s posture. His torso seemed to be veering in a different direction while standing upright. Concerned, they sought answers from Carter’s pediatrician, who referred them to pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Suken Shah, Division Chief of the Nemours Spine and Scoliosis Center, and the Shands/MacEwen Endowed Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Here, Carter received a diagnosis of Early Onset Scoliosis and Chiari malformation. Scoliosis is a condition where the vertebrae in the spine form a curved line instead of being straight. Larger curves can lead to joint damage, arthritis, and pain, often requiring treatment such as back braces or surgery. Chiari malformation occurs when the cerebellum pushes downward through the foramen magnum, the opening at the base of the skull. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, balance issues, and numbness. Sometimes, […]

A New Little Man: Joshua’s Story

Joshua, now 6 years old, was diagnosed with SMA Type 1 while still in utero. This condition, characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy, led to neuromuscular scoliosis, which was first observed when he was about 11 months old. He currently receives treatment from Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. For the first few years of his life, Joshua’s condition was a constant battle. “Joshua wore a back brace for at least 4.5 years, 24/7, with breaks only for bathing,” recalls his grandmother, Claudia. The brace was necessary to manage his scoliosis, but it made sitting up uncomfortable and exacerbated respiratory issues common in children with SMA. “Every cold or flu he caught turned into a hospital stay and intubation on several occasions,” shares Claudia. “SMA can cause respiratory distress, but the fact that Joshua’s lungs were restricted from growth because of scoliosis made it so much worse.” A pivotal moment in Joshua’s […]

Reagan’s Epilepsy and CP Journey

Reagan’s journey with epilepsy and cerebral palsy has been strengthened by the care she received from Nemours Children’s and her advocacy efforts.

Savannah’s Cochlear Implant Journey

Born in November 2013, Savannah passed her initial hearing screening at birth, leaving her parents unaware of any hearing issues. It wasn’t until a playful moment during a game of telephone at age 6 that they discovered Savannah’s hearing impairment. Her father, Gabe, recalls the moment: “I whispered something into her left ear, and she said, ‘Oh no, Daddy, you have to whisper in my other ear. That ear doesn’t work.’” This revelation was the start of Savannah’s hearing journey. This casual game confirmed their initial suspicions. Gabe shares, “When she told us she couldn’t hear out of that ear, it made sense. She was always a loud talker, and her speech curled towards the ear that worked.” The family sought help from hearing specialists, but the initial results were disheartening. “We tried a hearing aid, but it only boosted her hearing from 4% to 12%. It just wasn’t enough,” […]

Page 7 of 19

Page 7 of 19

Page 7 of 19