Meet a Patient
Meet Charlotte
Charlotte's Story
A gymnast, her lucky fin and her confidence to soar
Being born with a limb difference never stopped Charlotte from pursuing her love of gymnastics. When her difference, which she calls her “lucky fin” started impacting her gymnastics ability, the board-certified orthotics and prosthetics team at Children’s worked with Charlotte to make a specialized prosthetic tailored to her goals. Within three months, she was doing handstands, bridges and other new skills, all with the help of her custom prosthetic.
Today, 11-year-old Charlotte has already won several medals in competitive gymnastics and is working toward her dream of competing in the Paralympics someday.
Meet Jalen
Jalen's Story
A 12-year-old dancing his way through treatment
At 12 years old, Jalen was enjoying school, playing music and hanging out with friends, when an unexpected non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis made him worried about his future. Throughout four difficult cycles of chemotherapy, Jalen kept his spirits up by dancing through treatment, crediting his nurses for keeping him as comfortable as possible.
Two years later, Jalen is cancer free and back to his favorite activities, like playing music in his high school band. He’s president of his school’s Beta Club, and recently organized a toy drive for Children’s to give back to the Children’s community and help other kids going through chemo.
Meet Mallory
Mallory's Story
A teen navigating a rare immune system condition with the help of her “Mal Pals”
Growing up, Mallory was a soft-spoken kid who loved spending time with her friends, who she affectionately calls her “Mal Pals,” and her family.
At 13, Mallory’s mom noticed she wasn’t growing and she was getting sick all the time. Her parents turned to Children’s, where she was diagnosed with ICF syndrome, a rare condition affecting the immune system. Mallory underwent a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy to help new cells to grow to fight infections, getting through her treatment by making bracelets for her Mal Pals and her family, and getting snuggles from her favorite facility dog, Aries.
Now, at 16 years old, Mallory is balancing life and treatment. She still travels to Children’s for dialysis as part of her ongoing treatment, but it doesn’t slow her down—going from dialysis in the morning to cheerleading for her high school team in the evening.
Meet Evan
Evan's Story
A TBI survivor, learning to walk again and getting back on the soccer field
Evan was an athletic kid who loved playing soccer. He was 10 years old when a car accident on the way to soccer practice caused Evan to experience a traumatic brain injury and several broken bones. When he arrived at the Emergency Department at Children’s, Evan had a brain pressure monitor placed into his brain and had surgery to repair his broken bones. Once his condition was stable, Evan was moved to the rehab floor and spent two months in inpatient rehabilitation, learning how to walk and talk again.
Just 14 months after the car accident, Evan is back in action, walking, talking and preparing to re-learn how to play soccer through a special adaptive soccer program.