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Nemours Children’s Health, Florida

For the Ayscue family, their journey began with fear and uncertainty. “I had a typical pregnancy with Branson,” their mom explained. “But when he was born, he was very lethargic and not able to take much from a bottle.” At just 3 days old, Branson was transferred from their local hospital to a children’s hospital, where he was diagnosed with nonketotic hyperglycinemia, or NKH. The family was told not to expect him to survive infancy. Months later, on the way to the emergency room once again, they decided to try Wolfson Children’s Hospital with its long-standing collaboration with Nemours Children’s Health in Jacksonville, Florida instead. “That day completely changed our lives,” she said. The neurologist on call, Dr Rappoport, had just seen another patient with NKH. “We could not believe a doctor so close to home had followed a kid with the same diagnosis as ours. We knew then we […]

Sometimes it’s the unexpected turns that lead us to the discovery of strength. For 15-year-old Mercy, a student at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, her world was turned upside down during a routine volleyball practice. A simple jump over a track hurdle during conditioning ended in a devastating ACL and meniscus tear, stripping away her identity as an athlete and leaving her with more questions than answers. With a family history of positive experiences at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, Mercy’s mom knew exactly where to turn. Her older brothers had received exceptional care at the hospital, and she had no doubt that Mercy would receive the same level of expertise and compassion. The hospital’s reputation for excellence in pediatric care, combined with its role as the Official Sports Medicine Providers for The Bolles School, made it the ideal choice for Mercy’s care. Upon arriving at Nemours Children’s, Mercy and […]

Aiden’s life was changed forever when he received bone anchored hearing aids at Nemours Children’s Health. Born with  hearing loss, Aiden has worn hearing aids since he was just 5 months old. His family moved to the area when he was 5 years old, and it was at this time that he started receiving treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. Recently, during his junior year of high school, Aiden underwent surgeries with Dr. Cedric Pritchett for bone anchored hearing aids on both ears. “My audiologist was doing an audiogram and said, ‘Hey, maybe this isn’t working. Have you ever considered doing Osia implants?’” shares Aiden. “In essence, it was a shot to hear better, so I leapt on it.” Being his first surgery, Aiden recalls the initial apprehension he felt beforehand, saying, “I’m not going to lie, I was scared out of my mind.” However, he found the procedure to […]

At just 14 years old, Anzlie has faced significant challenges, yet she remains determined and strong. A first-year high school student, Anzlie has a passion for animals, even raising chickens in her backyard. She is an athlete and a dedicated student in the International Baccalaureate program, balancing academics with volleyball and CrossFit. Anzlie also manages both Type 1 diabetes and scoliosis, two conditions that require continuous care.   Anzlie’s journey with Type 1 diabetes began shortly after she finished first grade. Her mother noticed that Anzlie was excessively thirsty and had lost weight, prompting them to consult a doctor. The diagnosis was confirmed, and they were quickly referred to Nemours Children’s Health, where Dr. Larry Fox and a supportive endocrinology team helped them learn to manage the condition. Anzlie quickly adapted to monitoring her blood sugar and adjusting insulin.   Despite the challenges of diabetes, Anzlie embraced an active lifestyle. She participated […]

Shaun’s journey with Nemours Children’s Health began when his family noticed an unusual bump on his leg while he was sitting on the couch, playing a video game. They took him to see his pediatrician where he was referred to Nemours Children’s. There, he was diagnosed with an osteochondroma on his left femur. An osteochondroma is a common, non-cancerous bone tumor that can develop in the growing bones of children. Despite the diagnosis, Shaun continued to lead an active life playing baseball, a sport he was passionate about. “When we first discovered the osteochondroma, it didn’t hurt him at all,” his mother, Renee recalls. “But as he continued to grow, so did the lump. Eventually, it became so large that it would rub against his thigh muscle whenever he ran, causing him significant pain and forcing him to stop.” This change in his condition was a clear sign that they […]

Isaac’s journey with Nemours Children’s Health began after a long search for answers.  Around his first birthday, his parents noticed that something wasn’t right. “Isaac was extremely nauseated, underweight, and falling behind developmentally,” his mom recalled. After months of uncertainty, genetic testing revealed a rare diagnosis: SYNGAP1, a condition that affects only about 475 people in the U.S. and roughly 1,500 worldwide. SYNGAP1 causes developmental delays, epilepsy, and autism, making even everyday milestones more difficult.  Before coming to Nemours Children’s, Isaac’s seizures were constant and resistant to medication. “His neurologist said it was as if his brain were on fire,” his mom said. “He would just sit and stare off into space most of the day.” At just 3 years old, SYNGAP1 has left Isaac fully disabled, and he is not yet walking or talking. The emotional and physical toll was heavy for his family, who had spent years visiting multiple hospitals and doctors without answers.  That changed when […]