ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Nemours Children’s Health, Florida

When Zohan was born, his parents were overjoyed to welcome their little boy into the world. But shortly after his birth, doctors noticed differences in his leg length and foot shape. After further testing, they diagnosed Zohan with fibular hemimelia, a condition where the fibula bone in the lower leg is missing or underdeveloped. From an early age, Zohan adapted to his condition, often running and walking on his toes. But as he grew, he faced challenges—difficulty wearing standard shoes, fatigue, and limitations in certain activities with his peers. His parents, determined to find the best care for him, were introduced to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida through their primary care provider. Their own research confirmed Nemours Children’s reputation for advanced limb reconstruction, and they knew they had found the right place. From their first visit, Zohan’s family felt reassured by Dr. Jason Malone, Dr. Shawn Standard, and the entire care […]

When Piper was just a year old, her parents, Chris and Erin, noticed something unusual—she woke up one morning with a puffy face. Concerned, they took her to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, where doctors quickly determined there was a kidney issue. What followed was a long and complex journey to find the right diagnosis. After weeks of testing, Dr. Tapia identified Piper’s condition as Denys-Drash Syndrome—a rare and serious kidney disorder with only about 250 known cases worldwide. For the next seven months, Piper underwent treatment, but as her disease progressed, her family faced a difficult decision. To prevent the development of Wilms tumor—an almost certain outcome of Denys-Drash—it was decided Piper’s kidney would be removed under the care of Dr. Stephen Dunn. By December, she received a life-changing gift: a kidney transplant from her dad, Chris. “Dr. Dunn is a gift from God,” says Chris. “He gave our daughter […]

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 […]

From the day he was born, Elijah has been surrounded by a team of experts at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, who are dedicated to helping him reach his full potential. Born with several medical complexities, Elijah has met each challenge head-on, making remarkable strides every step of the way. “Nemours has always given Elijah a head start with all his goals,” shares his mom, Priscilla. “He’s been with them since day one.” Priscilla first discovered Nemours Children’s when her oldest son, Elias, needed sleep studies for asthma. The exceptional care Elias received made Nemours an easy choice for Elijah’s treatment. Throughout Elijah’s journey, Nemours has remained a constant source of support. Over the years, Elijah’s care has involved many specialists, including neonatologist Dr. Caroline Chua, who cared for him during his early days in the NICU, and plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Kellogg, who has been instrumental in addressing Elijah’s unique […]

Discover how twin sisters Ava and Emma overcame twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) thanks to the expert and advance care at Nemours Children’s Health.

For Conner and his family, the path to a Crohn’s disease diagnosis came unexpectedly. Conner, an active 11-year-old, was living life to the fullest until sudden symptoms disrupted his world. Stomach pain, rapid weight loss, and an inability to have a bowel movement led Conner to the emergency room. After initial treatment, he was transferred to a local hospital, where an endoscopy and colonoscopy in September 2023 confirmed the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. Conner’s mom, Charity, shares that the abrupt change in her son’s health was unanticipated. “He was very active right up until about a week before he was hospitalized,” she shared, reflecting on how sudden the symptoms appeared. After diagnosis, Conner and his family were referred to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, by their local physician. There, they found a team of specialists ready to support Conner through every step of his journey. Under the care of Dr. Palomo, […]