Archive for stroke
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
Still within reach: Virtual visits keep Hadley plugged into stroke care
When it’s time for Hadley Rizza to see her care team in the Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, she doesn’t have to leave home. Although Hadley and her parents, Eric and Meredith, live in the Pacific Northwest, appointments with her clinicians are just a click away, thanks to the hospital’s Virtual Visits ... Read More
Making it through the fight: Scarlett’s CDH journey
Like her name suggests, Scarlett Virginia Moulton “has a lot of fire,” says her mother, Olivia. “She always has a smile on her face. We tell her every day how strong she is and she just smiles. It’s almost like she knows she’s made it through the big fight.” That fight began even before Scarlett was ... Read More
Seeing what’s possible: Pediatric stroke doesn’t slow James down
James Veling is only 6 years old, but he has a whole bag of medals. He’s won them by placing in various Spartan obstacle races and 5Ks, sometimes besting multiple adults in the process. James is following in the footsteps of his father, David — literally. “I started running a few years ago, partly as ... Read More
‘Face blindness’ may represent a failed brain network — and could shed light on autism
People with prosopagnosia, or “face blindness,” have trouble recognizing faces — even those of close friends and family members. While some people can compensate by using clothing and other cues, face blindness often creates serious social problems. It often becomes apparent in early childhood, but, rarely, people can acquire face blindness later in life after ... Read More
Simon’s incredible progress after neonatal stroke
Simon Lieffers is “a very busy boy,” says his mother, Cara. At 2 1/2 years old, he’s obsessed with trucks and tools like many kids his age — but he’s also fascinated by things most grownups don’t consider fun. “He wants to mow the lawn and vacuum the house with us,” laughs Cara. “He really ... Read More
Pediatric stroke: Do you believe these three myths?
Think fast: How much do you know about pediatric stroke? If you’re like many clinicians, you may not even realize that kids can have strokes. Yet knowing the signs of stroke in children, as well as when to refer, is crucial for primary care providers as well as specialists. Here, Miya Bernson-Leung, MD, EdM, a ... Read More
Going back to school with a chronic condition
Going back to school can be a time of excitement for many families: Your kids are looking forward to reconnecting with their friends — and you’re looking forward to watching them learn and grow. But for caregivers of children and teens with chronic or complex conditions, preparing for a new school year involves much more ... Read More
Care for stroke lets Matty just be a kid
Most adults might encourage kids to behave themselves, but Matthew Marino’s doctor wants to help him make mischief. “He told us that he loves when kids cause trouble and that he wants to help Matt cause trouble, too,” says his mother, Maura, of Dr. David Fogelman, a physiatrist in the Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at ... Read More
Neurosurgeon’s pioneering technique helps thousands of children
Michael Scott, MD, was a 29-year-old neurosurgery resident at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston when he saw a patient with a condition he hadn’t learned about in medical school: a narrowing of the blood vessels entering the brain. It was 1970, and though Japanese doctors had described the condition a few years earlier, it would ... Read More