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.

GOT Star's Medical Revelation Empowers Former Patient

- Theo Applebaum, Former Blythedale Children's Hospital Patient

I lived a normal, healthy and active life for fourteen years until I suffered a stroke caused by an unexpected brain hemorrhage. I underwent life-saving surgery, but became partially paralyzed to the right side of my body. This was my lowest point, but I didn't know just how bad it was. In the...

Talented Trejah

Dancer Dazzles with Emotional Encore After Beating Brain Tumors, Stroke

“Since I was little, dancing was everything to me.” The spotlight shined brightly on Trejah as a young, talented performer. Before even becoming a teenager, she had taken the stage numerous times in ballet and dance, even joining the famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Lincoln Center in New...

Tags:

  • Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma (JPA)
  • Seizure Disorders
  • Stroke
  • Paralysis
  • Cognitive Impairments
  • Brain Tumor

Tara's Triumph

Teen's Fierce Determination for Independence Drives Assistive Technology Training

The will to fight was instilled in Tara ever since day one. Born a premature triplet at 26-weeks and weighing just under two-pounds, she required resuscitation in the delivery room and was put on a life-sustaining ventilator for weeks while undergoing numerous surgeries and medical procedures to...

Tags:

  • Assistive Technology
  • Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Neuromuscular Disorders
  • Extreme Prematurity
  • Cerebral Palsy (CP)
  • Spastic Quadriplegia

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