Ian
Age 10
Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
Traumatic Brain Injury
Bellies are often examined in hospitals, but how common is it to hear a belly laugh in a hospital? For 7-year-old patient Ian, it was extremely common.
While the reason behind Ian’s hospitalization was tragic, Ian chose laughter to connect with his family when he couldn’t speak.
Walking home from swimming lessons, Ian was struck by a car and sustained massive head injuries that sent him into a 3 week coma. He was eventually transferred to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare for intensive rehabilitation therapy and was discharged within five weeks—able to walk, talk and feed himself.
Today, he continues to work with therapists and has conquered his fear of returning to the water. “Ian has always been a kid that loves to laugh,” his mom says. “He absolutely lives on laughter.” His cheerful attitude and contagious laugh have had a sweet yet powerful effect on his entire family.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champions
Champions is a Children's Miracle Network
Hospitals program that brings attention to the important work being done at its
170 children’s hospitals. It does this by honoring 54 remarkable kids who have
faced severe medical challenges, and helping them tell their stories.
The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2012 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.
The Champions travel for a week in September, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state representatives on Capitol Hill and visit the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. While there, Champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals corporate partners, hospital representatives and media partners. These groups convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.
The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2012 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.
The Champions travel for a week in September, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state representatives on Capitol Hill and visit the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. While there, Champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals corporate partners, hospital representatives and media partners. These groups convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.
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