Emmie Wanzer, age 11, likes to do things for herself. Paralyzed at age 2 with transverse myelitis, Emmie hasn’t let that stop her from living her life to the fullest. A quadriplegic, with no feeling from the neck down, Emmie operates her motorized wheelchair with a tilt of her head. “Independence is a big deal […]
Massillon 7th grader doesn’t let cerebral palsy slow him down
Camren Offenberger is a bit of a celebrity in his hometown. A big fan of Ohio’s winningest football team, the Massillon Tigers, he served as the team’s honorary captain from 2017-2019 from ages 7 to 9. Now 13 years old and a 7th grader at Massillon Jr. High School, Camren is getting ready to launch […]
New leg braces help 10-year-old with spina bifida maintain an active life
Labor of Love is a blog started by Megs Pollock in 2011. Megs began sharing her experience as a first-time mom to son, Jordan, who was diagnosed with spina bifida before he was born. It’s been 4 years since we last got an update from the Pollock family, so we thought it was time to […]
West Akron teenager gains confidence and independence, one step at a time
Like most teenagers, Serenity Smolen is constantly learning, exploring and discovering what she does and doesn’t like. Some of the time, she encounters a learning curve. When it comes to conquering new undertakings, Serenity, 13, is a pro. It’s something she’s done all her life. Serenity, who was born with congenital limb differences that affect […]
Halo traction therapy and spinal fusion surgery mean more ‘airtime’ for coaster enthusiast
For 14-year-old Matt Hill the news that he needed scoliosis surgery was far from welcome. It meant the rollercoaster aficionado had to keep two feet on the ground and sit out the already short Ohio coaster season last summer. A freshman at Hoover High School in Canton, Matt has been a platinum pass holder at […]
Jordan’s 18-month Myelo Clinic appointment goes well
Jordan’s 18 month Myelo Clinic day at Akron Children’s Hospital arrived with what seems like the same anxiety and excitement as we’ve had in the past.
