Jada’s story: After cloacal exstrophy repair, an unexpected gift
Koda Wilder Ladchuk was born slightly premature, healthy, and happy. But this isn’t just a story about 4-month-old Koda. It’s also a story about his mother, Jada, and an incredible outcome no one could have predicted — not even Jada herself. Jada, now 25, was born with cloacal exstrophy (also known as OEIS syndrome), a ... Read More about Jada’s story: After cloacal exstrophy repair, an unexpected gift
Surgery for Chiari malformation: “I was just happy to have an answer”
Abby Buckley loves being active, whether that means hiking, cycling, or playing sports like javelin, shotput, and discus. But in eighth grade, a bad concussion sidelined her — and led to an unexpected diagnosis. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed that she didn’t just have a concussion. She also had a Chiari malformation, a ... Read More about Surgery for Chiari malformation: “I was just happy to have an answer”
I tried the keto diet to help my epilepsy and it changed my life
My name is Dennis. I’m 15 years old and live in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Two years ago, I started the keto diet to help my epilepsy and it changed my life. Here’s my story… I was 7 when I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I was too young to know what that really meant or ... Read More about I tried the keto diet to help my epilepsy and it changed my life
A taste of childhood: One family’s journey to an IV-free diet
Children with short bowel syndrome often miss out on childhood’s simple and delicious pleasures, like birthday cake, pizza, and ice cream. But Dr. Lissette Jimenez and the team at the Center for Advanced Intestinal Rehabilitation (CAIR) at Boston Children’s Hospital are working to change that. Short bowel syndrome is caused by the loss or lack of function of the small intestine, ... Read More about A taste of childhood: One family’s journey to an IV-free diet
A lot better than surgery: Jesse’s treatment for pectus excavatum
Like many growing boys, Jesse Zuniga went through a growth spurt when he was 12. Around that time, his pediatrician noticed an indentation in his chest. Neither he nor his mother, Sarah, had heard of pectus excavatum or vacuum bell therapy before. Soon they would be experts in both. Also known as concave chest or ... Read More about A lot better than surgery: Jesse’s treatment for pectus excavatum
“I am a superhero”: Joecel and his mom work to address feeding challenges
Joecel Castillo loves Spiderman, Batman, He-Man — and pancakes. They’re the sorts of favorites that might show up on any 5-year-old’s list, but Joecel isn’t just any 5-year-old. In fact, until recently, pancakes wouldn’t have been among his favorite things. Very few foods would have been. “He wouldn’t even eat his own birthday cake,” says ... Read More about “I am a superhero”: Joecel and his mom work to address feeding challenges
Austin’s story: Raising awareness after treatment for pediatric stroke
In May, 11-year-old Austin Rizzo led the pack in a two-mile road race of his own creation. But the race, named the Banana Split 2-Miler after his favorite fruit, was more than just a fun way to pass time — it was aimed at raising money to support research into pediatric stroke. It’s a topic ... Read More about Austin’s story: Raising awareness after treatment for pediatric stroke
A surprising diagnosis leads to treatment for Liam’s liver cancer
For Liam Dickerson, what started as a simple sick day turned into a journey he never could have expected. In 2018, he wasn’t feeling well and paid a visit to his high school’s nurse. Although he was experiencing chest and under arm pain, the nurse worried that he might have appendicitis and recommended he see ... Read More about A surprising diagnosis leads to treatment for Liam’s liver cancer
From ECMO to star athlete: Kobe’s story
Kobe Perry is fast. This year, the 12-year-old from New Hampshire placed #2 in the United States in the indoor 60-meter sprint and at #10 in the 200-meter for boys in his age group. “Watching Kobe run now, you would never know that he had a heart condition when he was a toddler and had ... Read More about From ECMO to star athlete: Kobe’s story
Amazing Grace: Toddler receives life-changing care for cloacal anomaly
Grace Brown loves playing with her six brothers and sisters, watching educational TV shows, and just being an average toddler. But by some accounts, she shouldn’t be here at all. “We were told before she was even born that she wasn’t likely to survive,” says her mother, K’Shayla. After Grace — and her twin sister, ... Read More about Amazing Grace: Toddler receives life-changing care for cloacal anomaly