Archive for Jenny Fernandez
For Kenny’s family, it’s a beautiful day
As recent immigrants to Boston from Honduras, Jessy and Edgar didn’t have an easy life, but they were happy. They were both working full-time, raising their teen son, and finding their place in the U.S. They were moving forward. Four years after their arrival, the family was elated to be expecting another son. When Kendall ... Read More about For Kenny’s family, it’s a beautiful day
Staff spotlight: Meet genetic counselor Beth Rosen Sheidley
In honor of Genetic Counselor Awareness Day, we sat down with Beth Rosen Sheidley, MS, CGC, co-director of the Epilepsy Genetics Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, to learn about the field and practice of genetic counseling. What is the role of a genetic counselor? There are about 30 genetic counselors at Boston Children’s across many different departments and ... Read More about Staff spotlight: Meet genetic counselor Beth Rosen Sheidley
Kindness rocks: Connecting to each other and to home
“I’m proud of you.” “You’re so strong.” “Keep your sunny side up! “ These are some of the messages painted on rocks in the ninth-floor resource room at Boston Children’s Hospital. The idea to paint rocks started last spring with two “bored mamas,” says Shari Mendler, who runs the resource room for parents and caregivers ... Read More about Kindness rocks: Connecting to each other and to home
Caring for immigrant children in politically contentious times
Facing public outrage, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently reversed their decision to end medical deferred action, a program allowing immigrants with serious illnesses to remain in the country while receiving lifesaving medical treatment. Among those most relieved by the reversal was Dr. Lakshmi Ganapathi, pediatric infectious disease specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital and ... Read More about Caring for immigrant children in politically contentious times
Matt and Brendan: Post-op pals, for life
Eighteen-year-old Matt Freitas and 16-year-old Brendan Cogavin met as roommates at Boston Children’s Hospital, but that’s just a small part of why they’ve stayed in touch for the six years since. “Their relationship goes beyond knowing each other at their worst,” says Melissa, Matt’s mom. “Brendan is cool, smart, and tries hard at everything he ... Read More about Matt and Brendan: Post-op pals, for life
Lia the ballerina: Off the couch and onto the stage
No matter what 3-year-old Lia is doing — playing dress-up, singing for her family, or running around with her preschool friends — you can be sure she’ll do it with pizzazz. “She’s a total girly girl,” says her mom, Kaitlyn. “She would wear makeup if I let her!” Watching her jump and twirl, you’d never ... Read More about Lia the ballerina: Off the couch and onto the stage
We are Boston Children’s: Meet Isis and Emily
While interviewing patients for the Pediatric Transplant Center, writer Emily Williams was struck by the long journeys that transplant patients face while waiting for an organ donation match. She decided to do something that no employee had ever done — donate her kidney to a Boston Children’s patient. Watch how Emily and her donor recipient, ... Read More about We are Boston Children’s: Meet Isis and Emily
Partnering with families to minimize exposure to anesthesia
In medicine, the best imaging can mean the difference between the right diagnosis and the wrong one. A successful treatment and an ineffective one. The radiology team at Boston Children’s Hospital carries out more than 200,000 imaging exams on children each year. Ranging in length from five minutes to two hours, all MRI scans require children to ... Read More about Partnering with families to minimize exposure to anesthesia
Muriel’s story: Choosing life after loss
I was with my mom when she had a heart attack. I was only 3 years old, but I remember her falling down and the EMTs arriving and later being told she had passed away. As I got older, I understood that my mom’s weight and health habits caused her heart disease and ultimately her ... Read More about Muriel’s story: Choosing life after loss
A dream deferred but not denied by ACL tear
The dream of playing college soccer was within reach. Emily had been working on her game since she was four years old, and at 16 was now co-captain of both her high school and club teams. Colleges were taking note. Just three games into club season, Emily was on the field in North Carolina, running ... Read More about A dream deferred but not denied by ACL tear