Meet Charlie D., Falls Church, VA

Charlie doesn't follow the rules. At 18 weeks in utero, he was given a fatal diagnosis of hydrops fetalis and was later diagnosed with Down syndrome. Upon being born, Charlie was sent home with oxygen tanks, monitors a series of new diagnoses including severe tracheomalacia and chronic atalectasis. Despite his ongoing health issues, Charlie enjoys many of the same activities that other children do thanks in part to the care that he has received at INOVA Fairfax Hospital for Children and the care he receives at home from a live-in nurse. Charlie loves to spend time with his family, visit grandparents, go to school, watch movies, play outside and read books. An accomplished advocate, Charlie has made several visits to Richmond to advocate for in-home care. His passion of in-home care has taken him as far as New York for an appearance on a Geraldo Rivera Show segment focusing on closing institutions and the value of living at home with a nurse.