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.

Arriyana Doesn't Let Pulmonary Hypertension Keep Her Down

16-month-old Ariyana was born at a mere 25-weeks gestation, weighing only 15 ounces. Her immediate medical needs were highly complex, given her extreme prematurity. She had several serious complications, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity. She was also diagnosed with...

Tags:

  • Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Post Acute Neonatal Care
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity (RoP)
  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
  • Pulmonary Insufficiency
  • Extreme Prematurity

Nicole's Miraculous Recovery

Driven Teen Battles Back from Cancer and Strokes

Nicole began her junior year at Greenwich High School with much to look forward to. An honors student and tri-varsity athlete, the vivacious teen was looking forward to learning to drive and prepping for college. A diagnosis of leukemia was not in the plans. Nonetheless, when she received the news...

Tags:

  • Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
  • Leukemia
  • Stroke

Paying a Visit to Sesame Street

If you ever find yourself singing "Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?" (the theme song to the popular children's show), just ask 10-year-old Noor. The Blythedale Day Hospital patient was recently invited to appear on the hit show, along with her father. She had the opportunity...

Tags:

  • Assistive Technology
  • Muscular Dystrophy

Addiena's Story

Watch Addiena's story and learn more about her journey - overcoming complications of prematurity - to go home with her adoring parents.

Tags:

  • Post Acute Neonatal Care
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Extreme Prematurity
  • Micro Preemie
  • Chronic Lung Disease

Kassius and Keaton's Journey Home

Twins Kassius and Keaton were born at just 30-weeks gestation. During the pregnancy, parents Krissy and Sam learned the boys were monochorionic/diamniotic identical twins, sharing a placenta, but not an amniotic sac. This put the boys at greater risk for significant complications. While Keaton...

Tags:

  • Post Acute Neonatal Care
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Preemie

Messiah Comes Home

“He is our first child, giving us a run for our money,” said Chappisha Morgan, smiling as she pulled a small shirt over her three-month-old son Messiah’s vertical chest scar. Messiah’s dad, Terrance Mackie, was packing up their belongings for a big family “first”. Their baby boy was going home. “We...

Tags:

  • Post Acute Neonatal Care
  • Specialized Feeding
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Preemie

Visionary Valentino

Burke-Blythedale Pediatric Neuroscience Research Collaboration Sets Sights on Innovative Rehab Project

Electronic music is made for dancing, but for the vision research team of the Burke-Blythedale Pediatric Neuroscience Research Collaboration, plugging in and pumping up the volume is just part of the job when working with Valentino Guidi. Born a healthy baby in 2006, Valentino reached all the...

Marvelous Mirela

Blythedale Patient Overcomes the Odds to Thrive in Pediatric Long Term Care

In June of 2016, then three-month-old Mirela was admitted to Blythedale’s Infant & Toddler Unit for medical management of her complex condition, and potentially for ventilator weaning. She was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and chronic respiratory failure, as well as congenital hypotonia, a...

Tags:

  • Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Chronic Respiratory Failure
  • Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Hypotonia

Tenacious Tasnim

A Tale of Hope Through Blythedale's Complex Wound Management

Thirteen-year-old Tasnim moved to the United States from Bangladesh in 2015, and settled with her family in Brooklyn. She quickly acclimated to her new school - excelling in academics, playing on the volleyball team, and making many friends. When she began exhibiting flu-like symptoms, she visited...

Tags:

  • Complex Wound and Burn Management
  • Multi-Organ Failure

Jadon and Anias Take the Next Step...Home

Previously conjoined twins prepare to transition home following comprehensive rehabilitation

The milestones have been plentiful for two-year-old previously conjoined twins, Jadon and Anias McDonald, and on September 2, they added a new one to their growing list... going home. Admitted to Blythedale’s Infant and Toddler Unit for nearly nine months, the boys were all smiles as parents Nicole...

Tags:

  • Post Acute Neonatal Care