When 7-year-old Peter’s ear fell off in class, his fellow first graders were surprised. But for Peter, it was just a typical day. Diagnosed with Goldenhar Spectrum, a disorder that causes abnormal development of the head and face, he was born at 30 weeks without his left ear and ear canal, and with an underdeveloped lower jaw, a cleft palate, a right single pelvic kidney and several other serious health conditions.
Peter is able to have some fun with his prosthetic ear by tricking his doctors at Children’s Hospital of Michigan into examining it. More than eight specialists at the hospital have worked together to perform his many reconstructive surgeries and provide follow-up care and therapy, including therapy that is helping him transition from a feeding tube to oral eating. Whether Peter is cheering on the Detroit Red Wings or running and playing at school, he’s teaching everyone around him not to be afraid to make friends with someone who looks different.
Listen to Peter and Dee Dee share how Medicaid played a vital role in their lives.
Leave a comment to cheer on Peter as he travels to Washington, DC to champion children's health issues.
At 6 weeks old, Michael was tested for cystic fibrosis at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin because his older sister had the genetic disease. The test confirmed that he too would face the health challenges caused by the disease, which affects the mucus lining of the lungs.
When Samantha’s parents took her to the doctor three years ago for what they thought was a nagging virus, they were stunned to learn she has Fanconi anemia, a rare blood disorder that leads to bone marrow failure. The first good news the family received after this life-changing diagnosis was that Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center has the Fanconi Anemia Comprehensive Care Center, where doctors and nurses are now providing Samantha the specialized services she needs.
When 3-year-old Tenley smiles at you, you can’t help but smile back. And thanks to Texas Children’s Hospital, she has a smile on her face almost all of the time.
The Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Pediatric Liver Transplant Program has one of the highest success rates in the nation. One of its success stories is 11-year-old Alberto, who had his first liver transplant when he was just an infant. The transplant lasted three years before a second transplant was needed.
On Oct. 3, 2005, parents Caroline and Dean watched their worst nightmare unfold. Eleven-month-old Sam was crawling on their driveway when he was suddenly hit by a car. An ambulance took Sam to The Children's Hospital Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) where, for 24 hours, he teetered between life and death. Doctors stabilized him and moved him to the pediatric intensive care unit. With an uncountable number of broken bones in his head and face, Sam needed major reconstructive surgery.
Minutes after her birth, Abby was diagnosed with bilateral choanal atresia, an obstruction that blocked both sides of her nasal airway. Because babies have to use their noses to breathe, the condition was life-threatening. A series of highly specialized surgeries at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota opened Abby’s airway, which is now growing normally.
Seventeen years ago, parents Joan and Creager waited anxiously for their 11-day-old daughter, Leah, to come out of heart transplant surgery at Riley Hospital for Children. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the transplant was Leah’s only chance for survival.
When Bella was 6-weeks-old and in the NICU, her family first heard the term “Prader Willi Syndrome.” The genetic disease resulted in an eating disorder and a host of other serious physical and cognitive challenges. To give Bella the best opportunity to succeed, her parents turned to Children’s Specialized Hospital. Not only did Bella get the medical care she needed, staff gave her family something just as important — hope.
Taylor was diagnosed with a benign tumor on her spinal cord when she was 3 years old. The tumor was causing her spinal cord to be tethered; without surgery she would be paralyzed from her waist down. Her parents turned to an “amazing” pediatric neurosurgeon at Children’s National Medical Center to remove the tumor and detether her cord.
