Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Kyla's Story

Kyla
Age 10
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Cerebral Palsy, Spastic Diplegia

Cruising down the hospital hallway, Kyla picks up various objects with her tiny toes. With a goal to resume unassisted walking, Kyla is always on an adventure through the hospital hallways on her therapy bike. Nothing can stop her from doing the things she loves.

After experiencing spasticity in both of her legs, Kyla was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in 2003. Struggling to crawl, walk and even stand, Kyla’s family pursued an aggressive treatment regimen that included spinal surgery.

Kyla continues to combat cerebral palsy with her physical therapy participation and staying active. She runs from extracurricular activities to shopping trips and never fails to find the opportunities to improve her health in every situation.

In the years to come, Kyla hopes to be a spokesperson on cerebral palsy and inspire others to invest in research for cures and treatments.

She looks forward to someday running down her hospital’s halls, completely unassisted, showing everyone her goal has been met.

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.