Along the way to heart surgery, Liam found a name for his new teddy bear
After a complicated delivery in April 2021, Chelsea Allis had recovered and was finally able to bond with her infant son, Liam. But life became unsettled again only two months later, when a doctor performing a routine checkup on Liam detected a possible heart condition. Then, only a day before seeing a cardiologist to learn ... Read More about Along the way to heart surgery, Liam found a name for his new teddy bear
Bringing Brazilian flair to blended diets: Josue’s g-tube journey
Josue Oliveira loves mealtime. In his large family — he’s the youngest of five kids — that means gathering around the table to enjoy traditional Brazilian dishes full of rice, beans, vegetables, and chicken. For this 4-year-old, though, dinner is a little different. Instead of picking up a fork or spoon, he gets his meals ... Read More about Bringing Brazilian flair to blended diets: Josue’s g-tube journey
Answers for Isaac: A family’s journey to treat vascular anomalies
Early on, Jinah and her husband knew their son Isaac was battling something complex, but they couldn’t figure out what it was, even after seeing numerous specialists. Their search for answers spanned the globe and eventually brought them to the Vascular Anomalies Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. It was in Boston that they not only ... Read More about Answers for Isaac: A family’s journey to treat vascular anomalies
Logan shows off ‘big personality’ while overcoming cleft lip and palate
Three-year-old Logan Hatfield doesn’t simply ask to watch “The Lion King.” He lets out a loud roar and follows with a soft “king.” It’s one of the many cherished memories he has created for his parents, Jenna and Brad, and his two older siblings. It’s also a welcomed contrast to the months before and after ... Read More about Logan shows off ‘big personality’ while overcoming cleft lip and palate
‘Worth the trip’: Aiden and his family found help for chronic pain in Boston
Aiden Kozak loves playing volleyball — and he’s good at it. He was even recently named one of the top 50 student volleyball players on Long Island. It’s a huge change from four years ago, when walking was so painful that he relied on a wheelchair. That wasn’t always the case. Until he was 12, ... Read More about ‘Worth the trip’: Aiden and his family found help for chronic pain in Boston
Wanting to give back, four heart patients now work as heart pros
They belong to a unique group. As children, they needed surgery to repair congenital heart conditions. Rather than being afraid, they instead were curious about the science behind their treatment. What they learned motivated them to discover more and ultimately pursue careers in medicine. Now healthy adults and working for the Benderson Family Heart Center at Boston ... Read More about Wanting to give back, four heart patients now work as heart pros
Understanding ARFID: Finding specialized care for Thomas
On a late summer day last year, Thomas Donovan took the elevator to the eleventh floor of Boston Children’s Hospital. Although he liked the fresh air and view of the city, they weren’t his main motivations for visiting the rooftop garden. Instead, Thomas was there to capture a wild Pokémon. And he wasn’t just playing ... Read More about Understanding ARFID: Finding specialized care for Thomas
Finding specialized care for short bowel syndrome: Meet Makai
Eric Maldonado was picking up some groceries one day last fall when he saw a familiar face: The woman, a nurse in his local hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), had helped care for his son Makai earlier that year. “She asked how he was doing, because she remembered that he had been an angry ... Read More about Finding specialized care for short bowel syndrome: Meet Makai
Building a better bladder: Reconstructive urologic surgery helps Mikey thrive
When Mikey Tibbetts’ parents, Johanna and Matt, take him trick-or-treating, the process can last for hours. “He knows everyone and wants to stop and talk,” laughs Johanna. “We call him the mayor.” Indeed, the “super-smart” 9-year-old has even memorized the entire map of his hometown in southeastern Massachusetts. Mikey’s popularity extends to Boston Children’s Hospital, ... Read More about Building a better bladder: Reconstructive urologic surgery helps Mikey thrive
Innovative POEM procedure gives Emma an option for achalasia
Like a lot of teenagers, Emma Reiner loves pizza — so it shouldn’t have been a surprise when she recently enjoyed four slices in one sitting. But for Emma, the meal was an accomplishment. For more than a year, she had felt nauseous after taking just a few bites of food. “It felt like the ... Read More about Innovative POEM procedure gives Emma an option for achalasia