Jonathan Williams, age 16, was one of two sophomores who made his high school varsity baseball team last year. When his coach called a last-minute Sunday afternoon practice, Jonathan, now a junior at Marion L. Steele High School, drove to the field. Jonathan, who plays second base, had a good practice until an infield grounder […]
Lorain baby benefits from Akron Children’s expert cleft and craniofacial care team
When Stephen Bodnar was born at Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital in November 2021, his mother, Megan Friend, assumed she would be bringing her newborn son home for Thanksgiving. But Stephen’s birth was unlike those Megan had with her older children. “I delivered my older two without any problems,” Megan said. “When Stephen was born, […]
Hirschbecks deliver holiday magic to Palliative Care families
Any positive break from the routine is welcomed for Traci Fraelich. The single mother from Newton Falls has been the primary caregiver for daughter Ella Marquette, 10, since she was born with a structural abnormality in her brain. “When you’re at home and isolated and doing complex medical care for your child 24/7, you feel […]
Elijah’s story raises awareness for National Microtia Day
Elijah was born without ears (bilateral atresia microtia) but, at 9 weeks premature, his parents’ first priority wasn’t his birth defect, it was saving his life. “He was in the NICU for a month because he had holes in his lungs and struggled with breathing,” said Colleen, Elijah’s mom. “While we were in the NICU, […]
