Ethan Rutherford is your typical 14-year-old boy. He enjoys bowling on his junior league, racing go-karts and working to complete all the requirements to become an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. On Jan. 20, his world flipped upside down when he went into sudden cardiac arrest. Ethan and his family had plans […]
Mom parenting 2 children with rare muscular disorder inspires those around her
Being a mom is hard work, especially when your child has special needs. Rebecca Lee, of Bath Township, doesn’t mind the extra effort at all. After suffering through the shock and pain of losing her first child shortly after birth, she says she especially appreciates the opportunity to be a mother to 7-year-old Jack and […]
Adapt-A-Car provides gift of mobility for kids with disabilities
The battery-powered, ride-on cars look a lot like the ones displayed in the toy section of your local superstore. But these cars are much more than toys. For children with disabilities, power wheel cars open a new window to the world. For the last several years, an Akron non-profit called Inclusioneers has brought together local […]
The ‘girl who lived’ thrives with occupational therapy
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 […]
Mom is champion of son with Down syndrome
After her baby, Gabriel, was born with Down syndrome 17 months ago, Hilary Tonni locked in on what she had to do to ensure he will lead a full and successful life. Like most parents who learn their child has Down syndrome, Hilary, a clinical research nurse at Akron Children’s Hospital, and her husband, Bill, […]
Celebrating Therapy Animal Day With Our Top Furry Friends: Petie the Pony, Weisel’s Quads, Witschey’s Trio, Izzie
It’s almost National Therapy Animal Day (April 30) with Pet Partners, and we can’t wait to celebrate the amazing impact they have on our patients! Many research studies show the benefits and value of therapy animals, but Jerry Miller, 12, and Jack Lehman, 16, can personally speak to the comfort and healing they experienced. They […]