When lawmakers make decisions about healthcare policy, conversations often center on budgets, legislation and funding. Family Advocacy Day helps bring those discussions back to what matters most: the children and families whose lives are directly affected by those decisions. “Family Advocacy Day, hosted by the Children’s Hospital Association, brings together patients and families from children’s […]
Patient Stories
From surviving to thriving: Family shares daughter’s mental health journey in hope of helping others
Jordyn was always social, active and deeply connected to the people around her. So, when the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, her mother, Andrea, began noticing changes that felt impossible to ignore. “Her depression really started during COVID when everything went to home instruction,” Andrea said. “She’s a very social girl, and suddenly […]
Food allergy therapy delivers life-changing results for siblings
For the Wallace family, what started as a cautious step into oral immunotherapy (OIT) has turned into something much bigger: freedom. When we first met Courtney Wallace in 2024, her children, Neva and Nathaniel, were in the middle of Akron Children’s OIT program – carefully building tolerance to peanuts and tree nuts through daily, measured […]
Addison’s odyssey from knee injury to college student-athlete
Addison Lahmers plays 3 sports for Ridgewood High School in West Lafayette, Ohio. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in September 2022, and she worked hard to recover. As her memorable senior year of high school comes to an end, she’s excited to continue playing softball at Marietta College. Addison’s senior year Some kids […]
Vertebral body tethering is option for scoliosis patients with time to grow
Spinal fusion surgery has long been the gold standard for treating severe scoliosis. But pediatric orthopedic surgeons at Akron Children’s have been finding success with a new surgical technique that holds the promise of preserving the child’s spinal range of motion. This could make a difference for future participation in dance, gymnastics, diving, cheerleading and […]
This healthy toddler’s journey began with a high-risk pregnancy, long NICU stay
Life with 3-year-old Mauro is just about perfect for Gina and Sarah Ginnetti of Boardman. He’s a joyful toddler who loves hockey, dinosaurs, singing nursery rhymes and creating art with Kinetic Sand and Play-Doh®. “He’s funny and smart and can count to 15,” said Sarah. It might be hard for Gina and Sarah to imagine […]
