Our patients' stories

Expert Care, from Birth through Adulthood: Erin’s Story
To 22-year-old Erin, her numerous scars are powerful reminders of all she's overcome since being diagnosed with congenital heart disease as a baby.

Never-Before-Seen Disease: Elijah’s story
In unlocking the key to Elijah’s mystery illness, CHOP doctors identified a new autoimmune disease and developed a customized plan to treat his disorder.

Gastroschisis in a Twin Pregnancy: Chelsea’s Story
Read about 2-year-old Chelsea’s journey from prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis, to surgery, recovery in the N/IICU, and clean bill of health.

Timing and Teamwork for Hepatoblastoma Therapy: Harry’s Story
Harry was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma in his home country of Panama and traveled to CHOP for a life-saving treatment.

An Augmentative and Alternative Communication System: Dino’s Story
Leigh syndrome took away Dino’s speech, but not his voice. With CHOP’s help, he found the perfect AAC device and now “speaks” easily with family, professors and friends.

B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Keira’s Story
A year and a half following her B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis, Keira, 9, is singing, dancing and playing sports.

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Kayla’s Story
Kayla’s experience with cancer treatment is influencing her future choices — she wants to become a child life specialist.

Rhabdomyosarcoma: Kaitlyn’s Story
Kaitlyn lights up the room with her smile and emanates positivity, despite her battle with rhabdomyosarcoma.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Jack’s Story
After a devastating leukemia diagnosis, Jack’s genetic test came back with some reassuring results.

Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome and Spina Bifida: Landon’s Story
Landon's life has been transformed after his VEPTR surgery. His lung function has improved; he has enough energy to explore his surroundings,

Amputated Hands and Feet: Chase's Story
Because of a life-threatening infection, Chase’s hands and feet were amputated when he was 3. Today he’s playing soccer and learning to play the drums.

Crohn's Disease Second Opinion: Emily's Story
Emily has passions for basketball and softball. She excels at sports while managing Crohn’s disease with the help of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Hudson’s Story: Pull-through Procedure for Hirschsprung’s Disease
After a healthy start, Hudson hit an obstacle when diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease. With surgery and bowel management strategies, he’s doing well.

Bracing for early-onset scoliosis: Annie’s story
Bracing has helped decrease the curvature in Annie's spine from scoliosis and delay surgical intervention.
Brandon’s Story: Limb Amputation after a Traumatic Injury
Despite efforts to save his toes, Brandon required an amputation. With help from experts at CHOP, he’s back playing his favorite sports.

Skylar’s story: Surgical correction of congenital radioulnar synostosis
An argument over body lotion led to a startling discovery, a rare diagnosis, and improved function for Skylar.

RLN Reinnervation: Kayla’s ‘Anything but Ordinary’ Story
The Pediatric Voice Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia helped Kayla strengthen her voice, and she’s putting it to good use: promoting her own book.

Celiac Disease: Grant and Shane's Story
A health scare for 3-year-old Grant led to an unexpected diagnosis for him and his 5-year-old brother Shane: celiac disease.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Evelyn’s Story
Evelyn’s parents had never heard of CAH, the rare adrenal condition their daughter had, until her diagnosis. But with CHOP’s help, Evelyn’s health is back on track.

From Personal to Public Advocacy: Ben’s Hyperinsulinism Story
The rare is commonplace at CHOP, and for children with extremely low blood sugar from hyperinsulinism, that expertise changes lives, as Ben’s family learned.