Stories & Outcomes

Discharge days are bittersweet at Blythedale Children's Hospital. While we miss the children we become so close to over the course of their treatment, our hearts soar when they are able to return to their families and their communities. We are proud to share some of their stories.

Laney's Fight

Laney McGowan was first diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome when she was four months old and had her first seizure. Laney received intensive physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapies at Blythedale to help her regain her ability to use her left side

Six-year-old Laney McGowan was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome when she was just four-months old and had her first seizure. Dravet Syndrome is a rare form of treatment-resistant epilepsy which causes prolonged seizures. In December, Laney struggled with several upper respiratory infections and...

Tags:

  • Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Complex Chronic Conditions
  • Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation
  • Dravet Syndrome
  • Acquired Brain Injury
  • Severe Epilepsy
  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Stroke

Rahul's Recovery

Transitioning back after a Traumatic Brain Injury made easier through Blythedale's Day Hospital Program.

Rahul was preparing to enter his senior year at Briarcliff High School last August when he lost control of his motorcycle while biking with friends. He sustained a very severe traumatic brain injury and was in a minimally conscious state when he was admitted to Blythedale Children’s Hospital just...

Tags:

  • Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Disorders of Consciousness (DoC)
  • Acquired Brain Injury
  • Hemiparesis

Ocean and Rio Get a Taste of the Good Life

Premature twins thrive thanks to ventilator weaning and feeding therapy.

Ocean and Rio were born at just 23-weeks gestation and, as a result of their extreme prematurity, developed chronic lung disease. The twins had other complications, including a mass in Rio's airway that blocked his ability to speak or swallow, and Ocean had a perforated intestine that would require...

Tags:

  • Specialized Feeding
  • Post Acute Neonatal Care
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
  • Feeding Disorders
  • Transition to Oral Feeding from NG, GT, or G/J
  • Chronic Lung Disease

Merry Meredith

Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering Create Opportunities for Children with Disabilities

Meredith, a five-year-old with a rare form of epilepsy, doesn't let her diagnosis stand in the way of her happiness. "She's a very personable, smiling, energetic little girl that wants to interact with her world," said JeanMarie Florkowski, OTR, ATP, an occupational therapist and a member of the...

Tags:

  • Assistive Technology
  • Severe Epilepsy

River's Road Home

Respiratory Therapy and Parent Training Pave the Path from Hospital to Home.

Ana Rivera found out she was pregnant on Halloween in 2020. She and her partner, Diana Vasquez, started preparing for the next chapter in their lives and their new arrival. However, on April 8, 2021, at just 26 weeks’ gestation, River Omari Rivera was born weighing a mere 2 lbs., 2 oz. and was just...

Tags:

  • Post Acute Neonatal Care
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
  • Chronic Lung Disease
  • Micro Preemie

Maria's Village

Care at The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Pediatric Long Term Care Pavilion Leads to a Happy Homecoming

Maria is a six-year-old girl whose family has long awaited her arrival home and it's taken a village to get her there. Maria was born with arthrogryposis, a rare and complex congenital condition that affects the joints in her upper and lower limbs causing stiffness and limiting her range of motion...

Tags:

  • Complex Chronic Conditions
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Congenital Anomalies

The Magic of Health Home

When asked about who Noah is, his mom, Katy, replied, “Noah is an amazing little boy. Well, I shouldn’t say little boy anymore because he’s 15, but to me he’s always going to be my little boy.” Noah was born prematurely at just 24-weeks’ gestation and was hospitalized for three months. Shortly after...

Tags:

  • Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

Recovery and Resilience

"You never wake up and imagine that you, or your child, would have to endure this kind of madness."

Hear the stories of three children who were impacted by gun violence and treated at Blythedale Children's Hospital.

Tags:

  • Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Hemiplegia
  • Paralysis

Adela Peskorz: Life Beyond Blythedale

60 years later, the #blythedaledifference lives on for this former patient

Adela Peskorz, now in her sixties, was born with a congenital dislocated hip and was admitted to Blythedale Children’s Hospital shortly after she was born. She spent seven years, from 1955 through 1962, as an inpatient. Adela's fondest memories include relaxing on the lawn at Blythedale and enjoying...

Tags:

  • Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Hip Dysplasia

Charlie's Comeback

Comprehensive rehabilitation at Blythedale Children’s Hospital gets Charlie back in the game.

On Valentine’s Day in 2020, 14-year-old Charlie was playing basketball with his friends when he suddenly felt tingling in his hands and fingers. He tried to call his parents, but his hands went numb, and he dropped his phone. “At that point I was completely paralyzed,” recalled Charlie. Charlie was...

Tags:

  • Neuromuscular Disorders
  • Transverse Myelitis