Who says miracles and magic aren’t real? Just ask 2-year-old “wizard” Riley Osborn and her parents. From the day she was born – at 23 weeks, 6 days and weighing just a pound and a half – Riley has been proving her doubters wrong at every step – literally. Riley spent the first 130 days […]
Hope’s time to shine
Hope Palmer loves the color purple. She has a contagious smile, plays hard and is determined to keep up with her three older sisters. Seven-year-old Hope may sound like a typical kid, but she has overcome many obstacles. Born in China with multiple health problems, she underwent major back surgery before coming to America. […]
Colton enjoys his dog day afternoons
My son Colton spent the first 72 hours of his life wearing a cool cap in the Akron Children’s Hospital NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). He was born with cerebral palsy as a result of an umbilical cord accident. He was in the NICU for a total of 36 days, and we have been coming […]
Mild Cerebral Palsy Doesn’t Slow Levi’s ‘Troublemaker’ Ways
Levi experienced a brain injury at birth and wasn’t expected to live through his birthday. He received cold cap therapy at Akron Children’s and spent 17 days in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), followed by 3 years of outpatient therapy. Now at age 3, he’s diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy and a severe affinity […]
Cerebral Palsy is a ‘Speed Bump’ but Not a ‘Road Block’ for Tallmadge Girl
Like most kids, Courtney Kirsch just wants to fit in with the crowd at her middle school. With growth and time – and especially with the help of her care team at Akron Children’s Hospital, Courtney has been able to overcome many of the challenges associated with her premature birth and the symptoms of mild […]
Meet Naiima: Special Needs for a Very Special Girl
When Naiima Oden was born prematurely, her mother Markita Batties expected things to go just as they had for her first child, Amirah, who was also premature and spent the first few weeks in Akron Children’s neonatal intensive care unit. However, Naiima’s situation was much different. She spent the first 2½ months of her life […]
