‘Comfortable in my own skin’: Grace thrives after weight loss surgery
Grace Rocha has a favorite fun fact: She had weight loss surgery at 16. And when it comes to sharing her story, she’s an open book. “Why wouldn’t you want to tell people about that?” she asks. Grace credits her parents for her candor: Both have had gastric bypass surgery and have always been open ... Read More about ‘Comfortable in my own skin’: Grace thrives after weight loss surgery
How Wyatt became the smallest baby to undergo PDA closure at Boston Children’s
In June 2023, at 22 weeks pregnant, Madisen went into labor with twins. Her care team in New Hampshire transferred her to a maternal-fetal medicine center in Boston in hopes of delaying delivery, but Gavin and Wyatt arrived within hours. “Things just evolved quickly,” Madisen says. “I delivered Gavin first, and Wyatt about two and ... Read More about How Wyatt became the smallest baby to undergo PDA closure at Boston Children’s
How the stars aligned for CeCe’s spinal cord tumor care
Last spring, 6-year-old CeCe was on vacation in Florida when she told her parents, Mike and Mary, that her neck hurt. After the family returned home to the Chicago area, her neck pain persisted despite Tylenol and rest — and she developed another concerning symptom. “We noticed that she wasn’t using her right hand to ... Read More about How the stars aligned for CeCe’s spinal cord tumor care
Thriving — not just surviving — as an adult with esophageal atresia
Willa Barnett has a story to tell — and it’s a big one. At 26, she’s experienced a slew of serious health challenges since she was born with VACTERL association. In this group of growth anomalies, certain parts of the body don’t form properly during fetal development. This can lead to problems with the vertebrae, ... Read More about Thriving — not just surviving — as an adult with esophageal atresia
Hope in a new home: A family’s journey with HHT
When Yeiden Pérez Camacho imagines the future, he sees himself on a basketball court. At 13, he’s already an award-winning athlete in several sports, including basketball, volleyball, tennis, and table tennis. His 8-year-old sister, Adienee “Adi” Pérez Camacho, is a budding gymnast who loves cooking and crafting with her family. Yeiden and Adi grew up ... Read More about Hope in a new home: A family’s journey with HHT
Rh alloimmunization: A family’s experience across two pregnancies
After her second child was born 14 years ago, Erin was convinced she’d never have another baby. Not because of her age or because she didn’t want to grow her family, but because of the painful prenatal experience that had stayed with her for years. Erin had developed alloimmunization, a condition in which the immune ... Read More about Rh alloimmunization: A family’s experience across two pregnancies
The only way through it: How Sebastian learned to manage chronic pain
Sebastian Sachs is passionate about theater production and team sports, two unrelated activities that have a lot in common. Both require a dedicated group of people working toward one common goal — something that could also be said about Sebastian’s experience learning how to manage chronic pain. “It felt like I was on a medical ... Read More about The only way through it: How Sebastian learned to manage chronic pain
Stay chill, show up, move forward: Nolan’s journey with ITP
At 18 years old, Nolan Ryan is an all-around athlete. Between basketball, football, and lacrosse, sports have shaped his daily life for years. He’s a true team player who shows up to every game with humility and dedication, whether he’s on the field or sitting on the sidelines. Like most student-athletes, Nolan had to balance ... Read More about Stay chill, show up, move forward: Nolan’s journey with ITP
Small gains with big meaning: Loic’s story of deep brain stimulation for PKAN care
Loic, 5, lives in Montana with his parents, Sherine and Mark, and his sister, Selah. He loves Spider-Man, sushi, and the Fourth of July. He laughs easily, sings along to his favorite shows, and is a big flirt. These are the little things that Sherine says make Loic, Loic, and which, until earlier this year, ... Read More about Small gains with big meaning: Loic’s story of deep brain stimulation for PKAN care
‘So much has changed’: Advances in XLH care help siblings thrive
Learn more about our Skeletal Health Center. When Stephanie Capone was a child, she was diagnosed with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), a rare genetic condition that makes bones weak, soft, and easy to fracture. XLH, which can be passed down through families, can lead to difficulty walking, bowlegs, short stature, and other challenges. “I underwent ... Read More about ‘So much has changed’: Advances in XLH care help siblings thrive