Welcome to My 2019 Donation Page!
On May 24, 2001, Helen Mahle Grisez (left) was born at 1 pound, 8 ounces. She looks mad, doesn't she? I can assure you that she was quite mad! We didn't get to hold her until weeks after she was born, and she would stay in the hospital for almost three months after her birth.
Her twin Vivienne was born at a whopping 4 pounds, got to go home after three weeks in the NICU, and didn't have Helen's host of health issues, many of which would not emerge right away. As parents, we were given lots of scary predictions at the Miami Valley NICU about Helen's future -- she wouldn’t walk, she wouldn't have advanced cognitive functions, she wouldn’t be in a regular classroom, etc. None of those predictions mattered to us as parents, however, because we didn't think we'd ever get to meet Helen. We were thrilled that she was here and alive!
Helen was "never" supposed to survive my twin pregnancy, and when she did, we knew Dayton Children's was her best chance of achieving a healthy childhood. Born with a tethered spinal cord, which was discovered by urologist Dr. Nguyen at CMC, the Myelomeningocele Clinic was an essential part of Helen's development. This clinic offers parents the chance to see all docs in one stop. Helen was able to see orthopedics, neuro, developmental pediatrics, OT, PT, dietetics, urology, etc. all in one appointment. For working parents, this clinic is an essential resource.
Helen had seven surgeries, culminating in the placement of a Mitrofanoff stoma. Once Dr. Nguyen re-constructed her bladder and placed the stoma in her bellybutton, her debilitating bladder infections and spasms stopped. She was able to catheterize herself at school through her stoma! Her bladder grew to a normal size, and at the age of 18, she rarely uses her stoma now and is able to void on her own.
Helen defied all predictions -- she not only walks, but she is also in color guard at her high school. Sure, she has had some learning difficulties, but she has persisted and worked hard for her high school graduation approaching in 2020. She is an avid musical theatre buff, and her goal is to attend Sinclair College and study theatre.
When I think back to those long, hard days when Helen was struggling with constant infections and an uncertain future, I am so grateful to the nurses and doctors at Dayton Children's who answered my panicked phone calls. Supporting Dayton Children's is critical for families in our community who face health challenges. Thanks for your consideration and pledge this #givingtuesday!
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