Change Kids’ Health. Change the Future.
Gaby: Gabriel (Gaby) has been attending outpatient Occupational Therapy (OT) at MVHS since December of 2023. He was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2. He was found to exhibit sensory processing difficulties which limited his participation in school and in performing independent daily activities at home. Because of his sensory processing diagnosis, he requires a much higher level of input from his senses to assist with regulating stimuli and thrives on high energy activities such as running, jumping, and spinning. Gaby can often be found zooming down the halls on a scooter board or jumping into his favorite crash pad. During his therapy sessions, he enjoys spinning as fast as he can on the Sensory Swing that was purchased with funds raised by the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program.
Gaby’s diagnosis also causes him to display sensory avoidance behaviors resulting in him interpreting information from his sense of touch and verbal input very strongly. When he first came to OT in December 2023, he had shoulder length hair. He had expressed a desire to get his hair cut, however, he was highly sensitive to the sound of clippers as well as the vibration on his head. After a few OT sessions of placing vibration throughout his arms, chest, back, and eventually onto his head, Gaby tolerated his first haircut and has received many since.
He continues to receive weekly OT services at MVHS. These services are helping him to continue to improve and manage his sensory processing difficulties and improve his overall daily living at home and in school with friends
Miracle: Miracle experienced your generosity first hand. What started out as a fun summer day turned tragic for 4-year old Miracle of Utica. She and her siblings were on their way to the beach when the car her grandfather was driving was involved in a terrible accident. Miracle sustained the majority of injuries from the crash when her car seat came loose. She was taken to the Level III Trauma Center at Wynn Hospital where she was treated for injuries to her head as well as a broken leg. Miracle was later admitted to the Pediatrics Unit where she slept comfortably in one of the new pediatric beds purchased with funds raised through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program.
Realizing that a hospital can be a scary place, MVHS strives to make every pediatric patient’s stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Miracle was given a stuffed animal to help comfort her, ease any anxiety and keep her company during her stay. She also enjoyed passing the time by playing video games on the new X-Box and PS5 systems that were purchased by donations received through the CMN Hospitals program.
Miracle received ongoing care from doctors, nurses and physical therapists. During her stay, one of her caregivers referred to her as “an energetic angel” who handled everything she encountered with a positive attitude and spirit. Miracle’s physical therapists arranged for her to be sent home in a wheelchair to make her recovery much easier. After 8 weeks of being in a cast, Miracle returned to being an active, energetic child.
Khai’Rae: After her mom Kaydeen developed HELLP syndrome during pregnancy, Khai’Rae was born at 31 weeks, 5 days and weighed 2 pounds, 13½ ounces. She immediately started oxygen and thermo-therapy to regulate her body temperature and was held in an incubator for three weeks. Khai’Rae received a variety of treatments including UV therapy for jaundice and having an umbilical vein catheter (UVC) put in to administer fluids and medications required due to her prematurity and experiencing distress in the womb from Kaydeen’s pregnancy complications. Khai’Rae was also born tongue-tied which impacted her ability to breastfeed and received nutrients through an NG-tube to help her develop and grow strong. After nearly five weeks in the Level II NICU, Khai’Rae was able to finally be released from the hospital and united with her mothers.
Carson: After 60 hours of labor, Carson arrived as a healthy baby, weighing six pounds, ten ounces in spite of doctors discovering a rare knot in his umbilical cord, which, had he pulled on it in the womb, would have been fatal. Carson was monitored closely, initially for jaundice but after suddenly spiking a fever, blood tests and a lumbar puncture were performed. The team diagnosed him with an extremely rare bacterial meningitis and sepsis. With only a few case studies available on this condition, Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialists were consulted. Carson received various antibiotic treatments through an umbilical vein catheter (UVC) which successfully cleared him of these infections. At 22 days old, Carson could finally go home.
