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.

Brandon's New Heart

Brandon is an 11-year-old who lets nothing slow him down - not even a heart transplant. He was born with multiple congenital heart defects, including heterotaxy, a rare condition which is characterized by septal defects and valve disorders, and an inability to productively return blood from the...

Tags:

  • Cardiac Rehabilitation
  • Pre/Post Organ & Stem Cell Transplant
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Milana's Story

Thriving in Blythedale's Specialized Outpatient Feeding Program

Three-year-old Milana has attended Blythedale's Specialized Feeding outpatient program for more than a year now. As a medically complex child, finding all the therapies Milana required - in one location - was difficult for her mom, Deanna. Milana was born with Pierre Robin Sequence, a rare...

Tags:

  • Specialized Feeding
  • Pierre Robin Syndrome/Sequence

Going Home

Bringing your child home is no small feat when they're medically fragile, but with Blythedale's Parent and Family Education Program it's possible.

Bringing your child home is no small feat when they're medically fragile. No family ever thinks they will be in the position of caring for a child with complex medical needs, but Blythedale’s innovative Parent and Family Education Program divides what initially seems like an overwhelming learning...

Tags:

  • Post Acute Neonatal Care
  • Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
  • Extreme Prematurity
  • Micro Preemie
  • Preemie
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity (RoP)
  • Chronic Lung Disease

Baby Charlie's Journey

Gaining strength through therapies to overcome a rare genetic disorder.

Four-month-old Charlie was born with Ryanodine Receptor 1 Related (RYR-1) Myopathy, a rare genetic disorder that disrupts the flow of calcium in muscle cells, limiting the muscle's ability to contract. Diagnosed with low muscle tone at birth, Charlie was transferred from the NICU to Blythedale...

Tags:

  • Post Acute Neonatal Care
  • Complex Chronic Conditions
  • Specialized Feeding
  • Transition to Oral Feeding from NG, GT, or G/J

Noheli's New Moves

Through comprehensive rehabilitation following an acquired brain injury, Noheli got her movement back.

Noheli is a six-year-old who never stops moving. In July, her father, Nelson, brought her to the emergency room when it appeared that she was unable to move the left side of her body. She was transferred to Cohen's Children's Medical Center where she was diagnosed with and treated for Acute...

Tags:

  • Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Neuromuscular Disorders
  • Acute Disseminating Encephalomyelitis
  • Hemiparesis
  • Hemiplegia

MPB Graduation 2023

Blythedale Children’s Hospital is no stranger to celebrating milestones. On Friday, June 23, four graduates received their diplomas from Mount Pleasant Blythedale Union Free School District.

Blythedale Children’s Hospital is no stranger to celebrating milestones. On Friday, June 23, four graduates received their diplomas from Mount Pleasant Blythedale Union Free School District . The Special Act school district which was created in 1971 to serve the patients of Blythedale Children's...

Tags:

  • Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Complex Chronic Conditions
  • Neuromuscular Disorders
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Leg Lengthening

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