Summer is approaching and after the last year we have had I think we all are needing something fun and uplifting! Going outside, to the store, to the doctor, everything was different but emergencies still took place. Doctors, nurses, front line workers still needed to work and a global pandemic doesn’t stop those who put their life on the line.

Our family was directly impacted by those who work tirelessly. Our youngest Emerson was born November 10, 2019. He was born with pharyngomalacia, laryngomalacia and dysphagia- just fancy words for a floppy pharnyx and larynx and difficulty swallowing.

We spent a month in our local NICU. After his g-tube placement at 2 weeks old and some adjusting to this new life we were sent home.

Due to our oldest Jace being born with very similar airway malformations three years prior we went right away to see our genetics doctor, Dr. Rajabi at Boston Children’s along with our neurologist.

Our family is an anomaly, we are not sure why both our children carry this rare malformation but what we do know is that our doctors at Boston Children’s will not stop until they find just exactly what is causing the malformations! As much as it is hard to not always receive solid answers there is a peace knowing other individuals/doctors care so much about your family that they will go above and beyond to help in any way possible.

Boston Children’s has been a second home at times. The doctors, nurses and staff are incredible! They are always looking to give back, to take care of every child that walks through their doors. They truly won’t rest, until they find answers for every child.

On June 13th Boston Children’s Hospital is hosting a virtual walk to raise money because, “Childhood disease doesn’t stop because of a pandemic.” You can give as little as a dollar, or even five- give up that coffee for a morning, or that muffin for a good cause! This is to help children like my two boys Jace and Emerson. I share how difficult it is a parent to not always have answers, to constantly be at appointments, therapies, and surgeries. I am just one out of thousands of medical parents who walk on this difficult path.

Please help these kids today! You can make a beautiful family day out of the virtual walk, I know that’s that we will be doing! After a long hard year of a lot of unknowns I can’t think of any better way to give back and love to families who need it the most!