Our top “In The Moment” posts from August 2018

There are new beginnings, as well as ongoing challenges, in our August “In the Moment” posts. We invite you to take a glance at those you may have missed, or a second peek at those you’ve already enjoyed.

1. One moment, 12-year-old Mason Morris was helping his father burn weeds. The next, he was a “ball of flames” as his father frantically tried to put the fire out. Burned over 80 percent of his body, Mason has a long road ahead, but the support he and his family have received from their community has been a ray of sunshine in their darkest hour.

2. Born with a cleft lip and palate, heart defects and respiratory failure, Tailyn spent her first 222 days in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). But after more than 20 surgeries, a tracheotomy and a vent, she proudly left home today for her first day of kindergarten with all of the other kids her age.

3. “Stephen made a very abrupt entrance into this world on February 17, 2018, about 14 weeks before his due date of May 27,” said Brittany Hill, Stephen’s mom. “He weighed only 1 lb. 14 oz. — and needed to be intubated from the very beginning — but he has always been a fighter. He was diagnosed with chronic lung disease early on and underwent a tracheotomy. Despite the obstacles, he is doing very well!

4. It was the official opening of our new 230,000 sq. ft. addition to our Considine Professional Building in Akron! There’s a new driveway, front door and Welcome Center for centralized patient check-in for services in the building.

5. Chloe Mershimer is standing a little taller when she takes center stage these days. Six months ago, the 15-year-old dancer and cheerleader from New Middletown had a spinal fusion to correct scoliosis or curvature of the spine. Now after making a full recovery, she’s 1 ¼ inches taller and happy to resume the activities she loves.

6. Born in China with dwarfism, marathon hero Layla Popik didn’t receive proper medical care until she was adopted at age 8 by a local couple also with dwarfism. With her sweet, funny personality, she has overcome medical, language and cultural barriers in 2 years to become an inspiration to so many.

7. Natalie was born a healthy baby, but her 1-month routine wellness checkup raised major concerns. Her head circumference jumped from 22nd percentile to 93rd percentile! Pediatrician Lisa Eggleston and Neurosurgeon Tsulee Chen took very quick action that saved her life.

8. Marathon hero Hannah Tringhese was diagnosed with optic pathway glioma when she was in kindergarten. The inoperable brain tumor took away her sense of smell and sight in her right eye, but it didn’t take away her vision of helping others.

9. Norah was a very sick baby even before she was born – a meconium cyst led to ruptured intestines in utero. She has endured 6 major surgeries. Today, the 3 year old is doing much better, but, her mom Candace found that returning to “normal” was not necessarily something that came easily.

10. After suffering a stroke in utero, marathon hero Jude Sanford wasn’t expected to ever walk, talk, see or hear. With a long list of medical impairments and an even longer road to achieving milestones, Jude has overcome incredible odds thanks to his hard work and support from his care team.