Six-year-old Evelyn Horsfall has lived in northeast Ohio all her life but has never been able to play in the snow. This winter was different. For the first time, Evelyn played with her siblings in the snow in a pair of winter boots that stayed on securely. Evelyn, who has spastic cerebral palsy, wears leg […]
Brandon has a place of his own
Brandon Johnson, 26, knows it’s not every day that a person with medical complexities gets to move into their own apartment but, thanks to his care team at Akron Children’s Hospital, Brandon is defying the odds and giving hope to those who have the same goal. “Brandon’s independent living still requires around-the-clock care so we […]
Inclusion is key to Piper’s legacy
Some people spend years trying to find their mission in life. For sweet Piper Grace Hoefler, it took just 27 days. Piper passed away from the effects of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 0, but her legacy lives on in books about inclusion donated by her family’s charitable organization, Piper’s Key. “I didn’t want to […]
Narrative medicine lets Cerriana share her story
After a year of managing a brain cancer diagnosis, dozens of surgeries and relentless medical treatments, Cerriana (14) of Alliance was hopeful the worst was behind her. When she learned her cancer was back, she didn’t know if she had the strength to do it all again, but she knew she had something to say […]
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 […]
Hirschbecks deliver Christmas cheer to palliative care families
Organizers had to get a little creative this year, but no way were the Hirschbecks going to let a pandemic get in the way of brightening the spirits of some very deserving and special children this year. John and Denise Hirschbeck, founders of the Magic of Michael Foundation, each year shop for, purchase, wrap and […]
