Two days after the start of third grade, John was at home playing video games with his dad. He suddenly screamed, “I can’t see!” and then began vomiting and went unconscious. The eight-year-old was rushed to an emergency room in Staten Island where a CT scan showed bleeding in his brain from a...
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...
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...
Interpersonal & Interdisciplinary Relationships Help Infant Recover From Near Drowning Brain Injury
First-birthday memories are usually filled with family, friends, balloons and big pieces of cake. That was not the case for Kirk and his family. Instead, there were chest compressions, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and a frantic drive to the emergency room. In August 2020, the joy-filled, healthy...
Therapy Program Promotes Hope, Self-Expression & Socialization
“Every human being has an inherent musical ability. We all have a heartbeat and a heartbeat is a rhythm.” It’s this sense of hope at Blythedale Children’s Hospital that has kept the beat going strong for the music therapy program. But, what exactly is music therapy? It’s much more than playing an...
Mt. Pleasant Blythedale School Holds Moving Up Ceremonies
“We want what every other kid wants, each and every day; to go to school, learn, study, make choices, make mistakes and then move on to the next grade.” Powerful words of inclusion from Zoriah, an 11th grader at Mt. Pleasant Blythedale School, during the middle/high school Moving Up Ceremony in June...
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...
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...
"No family ever expects to be in this situation. You just don't think it can happen to you." Did you know 45% of our patients are under the age of one? Follow the extraordinary journeys of a few of Blythedale's smallest and most fragile infants, as their families prepare to bring them home... for...
Rebecca's Brave Recovery from Heart Transplant
Rebecca has always been a fighter, even before birth. The 12-year-old was diagnosed in utero with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital heart defect. Throughout her life, Rebecca has endured a variety of procedures related to her diagnosis, but none prevented her from enjoying her activities...
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At Blythedale we understand the value of balancing work and family. Our employees have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful contribution to improve the lives of children.
