Clara now runs, dances, and sings along to Taylor Swift thanks to a new life-changing heart surgery
The time had finally come. Only two weeks after a transformative heart operation at Boston Children’s, 11-year-old Clara Portnoy stood in a sprinter’s starting position on an open stretch of grass during her school’s field day. Surrounded by classmates and teachers, she was ready to go. Born with a condition in which the structures on ... Read More about Clara now runs, dances, and sings along to Taylor Swift thanks to a new life-changing heart surgery
Griffin’s return to the slopes and sea after kneecap dislocation
Whether cruising down a snowy trail or catching a wave, 18-year-old Griffin Srokose loves the adrenaline and freedom he feels when snowboarding and surfing. He used to enjoy lacrosse as well, but after dislocating his left kneecap during a game at the age of 14, his kneecap continued to pop out of place. By the ... Read More about Griffin’s return to the slopes and sea after kneecap dislocation
Kiersten finds new purpose after care for life-threatening cardiomyopathy
Being just three miles away from her cardiac care team at Boston Children’s makes all the difference in the world to New Jersey native Kiersten Rock-Torcivia as she starts her sophomore year at Boston College. She is now closer to the specialists who help her manage a rare and life-threatening cardiomyopathy. Kiersten initially believed she ... Read More about Kiersten finds new purpose after care for life-threatening cardiomyopathy
Cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy: How the Cooksons dodged a devastating disease
Heather Cookson believes that if she hadn’t insisted her son Ricky get a brain MRI to investigate his frequent headaches, neither he nor his younger brother Jerry would be walking or living full lives today. “I just wanted peace of mind,” she says. “Ricky got the MRI, and that’s when the lesion was found.” The ... Read More about Cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy: How the Cooksons dodged a devastating disease
Catching up with Lucas eight years after his multivisceral transplant
Lucas and his mom, Heather, aren’t shy talking about his health journey and his multivisceral transplant. “If other families can learn something from Lucas’ story, it would be to keep advocating for your child and to trust that gut feeling,” Heather says. “Without organ donors, Lucas would not be here today.” Lucas was born with ... Read More about Catching up with Lucas eight years after his multivisceral transplant
‘A lot better now’: Andrew’s recovery from Rocky Mountain spotted fever and a stroke
When Andrew was bitten by a tick in 2021, he and his parents could hardly have imagined that just a month later, he would be coping with a series of health problems that would culminate in a stroke. Andrew, then 7, didn’t even realize he’d been bitten until he began to feel sick with a ... Read More about ‘A lot better now’: Andrew’s recovery from Rocky Mountain spotted fever and a stroke
Born with congenital scoliosis, Thelma looks to the future
Sixteen-year-old Thelma Alemnji probably enjoys student life more than most high school juniors. After all, up until last year, activities like drama club, debate club, and student government were out of reach. Born with severe congenital scoliosis and thoracic insufficiency syndrome, Thelma’s childhood and early adolescence were marked by regular hospital visits and frequent surgeries: ... Read More about Born with congenital scoliosis, Thelma looks to the future
‘We’re going to Boston’: Why Aydan’s family temporarily relocated for craniopharyngioma care
One evening in October 2022, 2-year-old Aydan Arguello arrived at Boston Children’s Hospital. It wasn’t a routine visit, but instead the final stop in an urgent journey from his home in South Florida. Months earlier, the toddler had been diagnosed and treated for a large brain tumor — but it was a related concern that led ... Read More about ‘We’re going to Boston’: Why Aydan’s family temporarily relocated for craniopharyngioma care
After a severe case of myelitis, ‘rockstar’ Maxwell is on the move
When Maxwell Lazarz’s mother, Jennifer, tells him he’s a rockstar, he just laughs and asks her what that means. But as this joyful almost-3-year-old zips around in his motorized wheelchair, cracking jokes and blowing bubbles, it’s clear that his mom is right. In fact, Maxwell has been defying expectations ever since he was diagnosed with ... Read More about After a severe case of myelitis, ‘rockstar’ Maxwell is on the move
Making a change: After a second opinion for spina bifida care, Sydney is thriving
At almost 10 years old, Sydney MacKay is sassy, spunky, and wants to be as independent as possible. Because she was born with spina bifida, part of that desire for independence means being more involved in her own care. Although Sydney underwent a surgical procedure a few years ago aimed at helping foster that independence, ... Read More about Making a change: After a second opinion for spina bifida care, Sydney is thriving