Noah Pearson- Young stroke patient becomes a talented musician
In 2008, young Noah was admitted into Children's Hospital in Chicago. They were diagnosed with an arteriovenous hemorrhage that caused the veins and arteries to tangle together. Because this occured in the brain, it is known as a stroke. Over the course of two months with the love and support from Helping Hands, Noah underwent two surgies that removed the malformation and blood from they're brain. Noah today is an aspiring music education teacher at Elmhurst College and has a very bright future. They recall that without the help from Helping Hands, the road to recovery wouldn't have gone so well. Cody McCasland 10 year old athlete Extraordinare and Amputee Cody is a 10 year old and has no legs below his knees. He was born with a rare birth defect called Sacral Agenesis that required for his legs to be amputated at the knee to give him a better chance at being able to move around. Cody has gone through 20 surgeries and more than 20 sets of prosthetic legs in his short 10 years of life. Made possible by Helping Hands. Cody is a multi-sport athlete and was a patient at the Helping Hands orginization. Cody now participates in horseback riding, gymnastics, t-ball, soccer, swimming, running, golf and has even flown a plane! His dream is to compete in the 2020 Paralympic Games for swimming. This is something that the Helping Hands organization will help Cody with. Burn Institute Marius Marius is from Romania, and at the young age of 8 he experienced a horrific accident. He awoke one night to a house engulfed in flames and smoke. He survived because he was able to crawl outside and away from the flames. His parents however, were not as lucky, and did not survive. Marius sustained 3rd and 4th degree burns over 75 percent of his body; he lost his nose, he lost his fingers, and he lost his family. He was treated in Romania and placed in an orphanage while he recovered. He had two surviving siblings who were away at the time, but neither was able to care for Marius. While recovering in the orphanage Marius met two student nurses from the United States, these women feel in love with Marius, his infectious personality, and his determination to survive. They came to the United States and with the help with Helping Hands, Marius was able to get the treatment he needed and a place to live. Meet Brennan- A Hopeful Fighter Betsy and Clayton Tapani knew mid-way through Betsy’s pregnancy with Brennan that he would be born with severe medical issues. A mid-term ultrasound at 19 weeks showed abnormally small and bowed femur bones, with the possibility of a fracture in his femur. Two subsequent ultrasounds at six-week intervals confirmed that little Brennan had fractures in all his long bones and, later, fractures in all his ribs. The last ultrasound did not rule out lethal OI. Despite plans for a scheduled delivery, Brennan came early. He was born at 37 weeks with four new fractures—one in each arm and leg. He began his first intravenous infusion of Pamidronate, a medicine used to strengthen bones, decrease pain and reduce fracture rates, at five days old. With the help of our organization, Brennan was able to recieve financial assistance in getting the treatment he needed. Brennan now has movement in his arms, and apsires to walk one day thanks to Helping Hands. |
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