Marianne Paluch knew something was off with her daughter and son when they were young. She noticed her daughter Tori had stiff muscles, would complain of leg pain at night and had other mysterious symptoms. At first, Marianne and Tori’s doctors chalked her symptoms up to growing pains, but it was when her teacher mentioned […]
A family’s journey with MELAS: How one diagnosis led to making a difference for others
It was Denise Schumacher’s son Alex who started her family’s journey with mitochondrial disease. Alex was born in 2003 and right away his parents knew something was off. “He had rapid heart rate and other symptoms, so he was life flighted to Children’s Minneapolis,” explained Denise. Alex’s symptoms led his family on a journey to […]
Maynard Family Foundation establishes chair in neurodevelopmental sciences at Akron Children’s
After every visit to Akron Children’s, philanthropist and Akron business leader Philip H. Maynard would share stories about children he met. “You should’ve seen the kiddos,” he would tell family and co-workers. Phil passed away in 2021, but the Maynard Family Foundation has ensured that its namesake’s concern for children carries on in his absence. […]
Mia’s journey: Much more than Leigh syndrome
When Valenica Soltys’ toddler daughter Mia started stumbling when she walked, she knew something wasn’t right. “She was the most perfect baby,” Valencia said of Mia. “She made all her milestones and did everything ahead of time. She started walking and around 13 months nothing was abnormal. So, there were no red flags for anything. […]
NDSC is core to Joey’s care team
The Akron Children’s NeuroDevelopmental Science Center (NDSC) brings together 5 pediatric specialties under one roof to deliver the best outcomes and quality of life for children affected by neurological and developmental disorders. For Joey Ricci, now 18, the NDSC is where his health journey began. At 6 months old, Joey still wasn’t thriving, and tests […]
Game changer: How research is helping mitochondrial patients like Abby MacCurtain
From day 1, Abigail “Abby” MacCurtain had 2 distinct features – a bright smile and noisy breathing. While her trademark smile brought joy, her noisy breathing took her on a medical journey that, ultimately, brought her from Boston to the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute at Akron Children’s. At the time, new parents Greg and […]
