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.

Brave Bentley

Health Home Helps Medically Complex Boy & Family Thrive in Community

Bentley is more than meets the eye. He’s more than the power wheelchair that keeps him moving. He’s more than the ventilator that keeps him alive. He’s more than the assistive technology that helps him communicate. “He is the bravest kid in the world and an inspiration for anybody,” says Marlenny...

Tags:

  • Neuromuscular Disorders
  • Complex Chronic Conditions
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Assistive Technology
  • Specialized Feeding
  • Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Nemaline Myopathy
  • Neuromuscular Scoliosis
  • Chronic Respiratory Failure

A Different Daniel

From Failure to Thrive to Specialized Feeding Program Pride

Slow and steady wins the race. A mantra that Blythedale Children’s Hospital patient, Daniel, his family and medical/clinical teams have lived by for the past few years. Since his birth four years ago, eating has been an obstacle for Daniel. He was initially breastfed, but had difficulty latching and...

Tags:

  • Specialized Feeding
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE)
  • Failure to Thrive (FTT)
  • Food Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Autism
  • Feeding Delays
  • Speech Delays

Patient Defies Stroke, Paralysis and Wet Weather to Vote for the First Time on Election Day

For one special inpatient at Blythedale Children’s Hospital, Election Day was a particularly momentous occasion. Eighteen-year-old Amoonthays (Amoon) Khrisat Velazquez cast her ballot in the important midterm elections and voted for the very first time. The teen was admitted to the Hospital last...

Tags:

  • Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Stroke
  • Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

Rocky's Big Game

Walking into a major league ballpark is often an impressive sight to see, but for one Blythedale Children’s Hospital patient and his family, attending a recent baseball game held even more meaning. Nine-year-old Rocky, a previously healthy and active child, suffered a stroke in July. He was rushed...

Tags:

  • Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Neuromuscular Disorders
  • Stroke
  • Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

Omouri's Odyssey

Assistive Technology Aids Tot with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

An infectious smile and big, brown eyes. These are just a few things you notice about Omouri when you first meet him. The two-and-a-half-year-old is unable to talk, but can speak volumes with just a look or a grin. “He’s full of energy and wants to express himself, but is unable to do so secondary...

Tags:

  • Assistive Technology
  • Neuromuscular Disorders
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Independent Amanda

Teen Triumphs at Blythedale with Technology, Tenderness and Time

Graduation is a time to reflect on past achievements while looking ahead to new beginnings. For one special 12th grader at the Mt. Pleasant-Blythedale School, located on the grounds of Blythedale Children’s Hospital, her future is paved with potential. “I will be moving to a new house and have my...

Tags:

  • Assistive Technology
  • Complex Chronic Conditions
  • Otopalatodigital Spectrum Disorder
  • Cochlear Implant
  • Neuromuscular Scoliosis
  • Diabetes
  • Blindness
  • Deafness

Thriving Theo

Driven Teen Excels in Recovery from Stroke

For the first fourteen years of his life, Theo was healthy and active. He spent time with his family, hung out with friends, played sports at summer camp and excelled in school. But in November 2016, everything changed. While at his home in Manhattan, the teen unexpectedly developed severe headaches...

Tags:

  • Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Assistive Technology
  • Stroke
  • Acquired Brain Injury

Daniella's New Dawn

Teen with Acquired Brain Injury Defies Diagnosis

Can a nosebleed save a life? For Daniella and her family, it did. Born full term and leading a healthy, active life for her first eleven years, the young girl rarely needed a doctor. In fifth grade, Daniella began developing frequent nose bleeds, fatigue and dizziness that gradually worsened until...

Tags:

  • Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Specialized Feeding
  • Acquired Brain Injury
  • Brain Hemorrhage

Hope for Hiroshy

Former Preemie with Jejunal Atresia Grows Into Promising Pupil

From the start of his life, Hiroshy and hospitals have gone hand in hand. Born premature at 33-weeks’ gestation in October 2011, Hiroshy was diagnosed with jejunal atresia (an incomplete formation of part of the small intestine), and spent 90 days in the NICU. The newborn underwent numerous...

Tags:

  • Complex Chronic Conditions
  • Specialized Feeding
  • Pre/Post Organ & Stem Cell Transplant
  • Post Acute Neonatal Care
  • Assistive Technology
  • Extreme Prematurity
  • Short Gut Syndrome
  • Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

Malka on the Mend

LVAD Dependent, Pre-Transplant Patient Returns After Cardiac Surgery

“I’ve never had a child, who’s had a major organ transplant, come back so quickly.” Dr. Mary Didie, Unit Chief of the Day Hospital Program at Blythedale Children’s Hospital, proudly uttered those words upon the return of nine-year-old Malka in March 2018, less than three-weeks after receiving a...

Tags:

  • Cardiac Rehabilitation
  • Pre/Post Organ & Stem Cell Transplant
  • Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
  • Heart Transplant
  • Stroke