Our patients' stories
Finding Strength Through Surgery: Caitlin’s Story
Diagnosed with Graves’ disease at 12, Caitlin faced years of symptoms before finding relief through thyroid surgery, CHOP’s 1,000th procedure of its kind.
Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: Xavier’s Story
Imagine losing your vision so quickly you don’t have time to prepare for what will happen next. This is what happened to 13-year-old Xavier, later diagnosed with LHON.

From Heart Failure to Healing: Brice's Journey with the Hybrid VAD
A baby is given a second chance at life with an innovative bridge to transplant performed only at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and few other institutions.

Jaw Tumor Removal and Reconstruction: Bryn’s Story
A fast-growing tumor required removing nearly half of Bryn’s jaw. The effects of that drastic procedure are barely noticeable, thanks to CHOP’s deep expertise.
A Wavy Line to Wellness: Liam’s Journey
Two rare diseases lead to an unexpected genetic diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia for a little boy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Generations of Strength: Kristen’s Journey with Congenital Hyperinsulinism
Congenital hyperinsulinism runs in Kristen’s family. Discover how CHOP has helped Kristen and her daughter manage this rare condition across generations.
Giving Back After Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Care at CHOP: Alice’s Story
After Alice received care at CHOP for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, she donated care backpacks with support supplies for patients as part of an Eagle Scout project.
Gladys’ Story: Minimally Invasive Extradural Surgery for Chiari with a Syrinx
A minimally invasive surgery at CHOP helped Gladys heal from a Chiari malformation and syrinx — allowing her to return home quickly and healthy.

Gene Therapy for Beta Thalassemia: Rahemeen’s Story
Rahemeen no longer needs regular blood transfusions, and her future has been transformed, ever since she received a curative gene therapy for her inherited blood disorder.

Danny’s Story: A New Right Ear with Restored Hearing
CHOP surgeons created an ear canal for Danny and then used laser scans and a 3D reproduction of his unaffected left ear to create a new, custom-made right ear.
Juna’s Story: Hemispherotomy Brain Surgery to Treat Hemimegalencephaly
When baby Juna was diagnosed with a condition that causes debilitating seizures, the future seemed unclear. Then her parents found CHOP Neurosurgeon Benjamin Kennedy, MD.

A Breath of Fresh Air: Ada’s Story
Ada, 6, was healthy when she was born. She hit her early milestones with ease. As soon as Ada turned one, however, her health suddenly took a turn for the worse.

Bridgette and Grace's Story: A Journey Through Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Twins, Bridgette and Grace, were diagnosed with a life-threatening condition in utero. Fetal surgery at CHOP saved them. Today, they’re healthy and thriving.

Campbell’s Story: CHOP Primary Care Saves the Day
When Campbell started showing unusual symptoms, his mother sought help at her local CHOP Primary Care office. The team’s swift action got him lifesaving care just in time.

Home Repairs Through CAPP+ Ended Naomi’s Asthma Flares
Naomi’s asthma was tough to control until the Community Asthma Prevention Program-Plus provided home repairs to eliminate triggers.

Craniosynostosis Diagnosis and Surgery as a Toddler: Charlotte’s Story
After complaining of a headache, Charlotte underwent a long journey to be diagnosed with a condition of the skull that is usually detected at birth.
Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome: Amanda’s Story
Amanda’s skiing injury on a family trip seemed like a sprained ankle, but it turned out to be Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome—a tougher challenge.

Goldenhar Syndrome: Shaikha’s Story
In the seventeen years of Shaikha’s life, she has spent an exceptional amount of time undergoing medical procedures. “By the age of 11, I already had 19 surgeries,” she explains. “I've had 25 surgeries in total.”
Rowan’s Story: Functional Hemispherotomy Epilepsy Surgery
Thanks to functional hemispherotomy surgery at CHOP, Rowan has transformed from having 40 seizures a day to being seizure free and thriving cognitively.
A Novel Medication, A New Hope: Liam’s PVS Journey
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Pulmonary Vein Stenosis (PVS) Program treats a baby’s severe PVS with medication typically used to treat cancer.