Jacob Browning knew he wanted to be in the military from a young age. Jacob, who grew up in Hudson, Ohio, admired his grandfather and uncle, who had served in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army, respectively. By the time Jacob entered high school in August, 2008 he had set his sights on […]
Why are growth plates such a big deal?
If you’re familiar with the lyrics to the children’s song, Dem Bones, then you probably already know the knee bone is connected to the thigh bone. But did you know the thigh bone is one of the 4 long bones in the body (along with the bones in the lower leg/shin and upper arm and […]
Annie’s Super Strength
With her larger-than-life personality, Annie, 6, has always had an unbreakable spirit despite her medical conditions. At her mom’s 5-month ultra sound, Annie’s arms and legs were measuring smaller than a typical baby. Specialists thought she may have achondroplasia (dwarfism), but genetic testing and additional scans revealed more concerns. Doctors detected healing breaks in her […]
Casting helps Solon boy conquer scoliosis without surgery
It takes a lot to rattle Michelle Stevens. The mom of 4 boys ages 14, 11, 10 and 8, two of whom have Fragile X syndrome, a genetic mutation that causes intellectual delays, is used to rolling with the punches. When her youngest son, Max, was 4 months old she wasn’t terribly concerned when she […]
A safer scan for patients like Bailey
Bailey Fumich’s mother has lost count of how many X-rays he’s had to have since first being seen for scoliosis nearly a decade ago. “He’s had a lot,” said Tina McKenna, noting that Bailey got X-rays about every 6 months as doctors in the Akron Children’s spine program monitored his scoliosis. Now Bailey, who underwent […]
Reality hits us at Myelo Clinic visit
Our visit with the Myelo Clinic at Akron Children’s last week felt like we were prescribed a small dose of reality. Our hearts long for the hope that Jordan’s head, bladder, bowels, and legs will do more than the diagnosis tells us. I came prepared to ask the question about where each specialist feels Jordan’s […]