In October, 2000, our lives changed dramatically when our seemingly healthy ten-month-old baby, Olivia, went into severe respiratory distress and was placed on life support at Penn State Children’s Hospital. What was thought to be a common cold turned out to be severe abnormalities of her trachea (windpipe). During her first ten days in the hospital, Olivia had three major surgeries to correct these abnormalities. She struggled to survive. She spent almost an entire year in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The complexity of her condition required the services of many pediatric specialty doctors and multiple other surgeries. More...
Megan Nickey was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) at three years of age. EDS is a disorder that affects connective tissue. Affected individuals can have easily dislocated joints; loose, thin skin; and extreme fragility of the skin and blood vessels. Megan has experienced many hospitalizations and surgeries related to her condition. In August of 2008, Megan suffered a life-threatening aneurysm rupture and complications that required extensive surgical intervention and a lengthy stay at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. The Hummingbird Program became involved with Megan and her family to assist with pain and symptom management, to provide much needed emotional support, and to assist with the transition of her care back to their home. More...
