NSMC North Shore Children’s Hospital and the Kids Wish Network are working together to recognize young “heroes,” who have had to face some of life’s unfortunate experiences. These children do not have life threatening illnesses, but rather have endured some extremely sad or extraordinary circumstances.

NSMC is the first and only hospital in the region chosen to participate in the “Hero of the Month” program. The staff at NSMC nominates, then chooses one child each month over an entire year, and these heroes are given a party and awarded a special gift card to any number of major retailers.

Meet our heroes!

Heather
Beverly, MA
February 2008

At the age of 8, Heather Duran is no stranger to NSMC North Shore Children’s Hospital. She comes regularly to receive treatment for her Sickle Cell Disease. No matter how sick Heather is, she comes in with a song in her heart and a smile on her face. Due to her illness Heather has had numerous surgeries, and must endure countless pokes and prods.

“No matter how many sticks she gets or what invasive treatment she needs, Heather takes it in stride,” said Gloria Cantin, a pediatric equipment technician at NSMC North Shore Children’s Hospital. “She is always pleasant with the staff, often times making them beautiful pieces of jewelry or a painting to hang in their office.”

Though Heather has a life altering diagnosis, she absolutely lives life to the fullest. Heather’s energy and zest for life is a true testament to the resiliency of the human spirit.

Vince
January 2008

Vince is a 9 year old boy who suffers from spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, seizures, behavioral difficulties and learning disabilities. Vince has struggled with his disabilities, which have impaired his speech and motor abilities, but he still manages to keep an upbeat attitude.

“Vince does not let his disabilities interfere with his ability to enjoy life to its fullest,” said Lauren Kondev, M.D., a pediatric neurologist at NSMC. “He has a strong character and stands up for himself. If he has something to say, he makes sure he is heard.”

Vince has an uplifting personality that has helped him look adversity in the face, and not let it hold him back.

Alysha
Peabody, MA
July 2007

At the age of 10, Alysha has spent half of her life dealing with health problems. When she was 5-years-old she contracted e-coli from an unknown source and suffered severe consequences. Soon after, she had a Grand Mal seizure, and was in a coma for a week. Alysha then spent a month in rehab where she was diagnosed with Cortical Blindness and Visual Agnosia as well as motor and cognitive delays. Faced with an unfamiliar life of severe visual deficits, Alysha has pushed through every obstacle.

“Alysha has earned the title of Hero just by her determination to live and never give up, despite the challenges she has face, and continues to face every day,” said Denise Murphy, Alysha’s occupational therapist.

Looking at Alysha, you would never know that she has a disability. Thanks to her great attitude and spirit she is now a talented soccer player, who can score more goals than anyone on her team. Alysha still has a long way to go in mastering life skills with her vision problems, but her constant effort is heroic.

Austin
Winthrop, MA
June 2007

A 13-year-old with Cerebral Palsy, complex partial epilepsy, and attention deficit disorder, Austin hasn’t led an easy life. In October of 2006 he underwent numerous surgeries on both legs to improve his ability to walk.

“Austin has struggled with his disabilities, which have impaired his speech and motor skills, but has always looked adversity in the face and pressed through,” said Lauren Kondev, Austin’s pediatric neurologist at NSMC. “He is a smart boy who knows he is discriminated against because of his disabilities, but doesn’t let that get in his way.”

Austin has worked hard since his surgeries, pushing through physical therapy and the pain and discomfort associated with it, to rehabilitate himself. His positive attitude and uplifting spirit makes him NSMC’s Hero of the Month.

Gabby
Topsfield, MA
April 2007

In 2003, 6-year-old Gabby lost her mother to a terrible car crash. Shortly after that crash, Gabby was sent to live with relatives in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she became the victim of abuse. Then, in 2005, 8-year-old Gabby was a victim yet again, this time of Hurricane Katrina, as her makeshift family was forced from their home. Gabby would once again change families; this time she was sent to Topsfield to live with her second cousin. Now, at the age of 10, Gabby has been diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and Post traumatic Stress Disorder.

“Gabby is a hero in every sense of the word,” says NSMC physical therapist Deidra Sullivan, DPT. “Gabby has overcome every challenge with untiring energy and focus. If we all took challenges in stride they way she does, the world would be a better place.”

Britteny
Beverly, MA
March 2007

At the age of 14, Britteny has been through more than her fair share. She has spent years in and out of foster and group homes. It wasn’t until recently she was reunited with her biological mother. In early 2007 Britteny came to NSMC to get her tonsils out. Shortly after that she was back with severe osteomylitis, which is an infection of the bone. Britteny had to undergo several very painful, invasive procedures to reduce the infection. Despite the pain, she was always cooperative and never complained.

“It is time that Britteny has something nice done for her,” said NSMC child life specialist Erin Lavallee, CCLS. “When the staff got together to nominate a patient for March it was unanimous.”

Joseph
Salem, MA
February 2007

Born three months early, Joseph had a rough start to life. After months in the neonatal intensive care unit, he was finally allowed to go home, but had extreme difficulties with normal development like walking and talking. To make things worse, Joe watched as his younger brother passed him in every physical achievement. Now, at the age of 15, though this young hero has only been in public schools for three years, he has nearly caught up developmentally with his peers. His passion is sports, and as a high school freshman Joe wanted to play, but to do so he needed a complex surgery at NSMC that would allow him to breathe normally through his nose and mouth. After the surgery, there were new complications and Joe was once again fighting for his life. But he pushed through the pain and is back on his feet, back at school, and still trying to reach his goal of joining the team.

Bryan
Lynn, MA
January 2007

Bryan came to North Shore Medical Center at the end of 2006 with a ruptured appendix. He spent about a month in hospital after suffering multiple complications. The nurses at NSMC were extremely impressed with Bryan’s attitude and outlook through this entire ordeal, doing whatever they asked him to do to progress his healing, no matter how painful it might be. When the time came to nominate a hero for the month of January, the choice was clear.

Theodore “Teddy”
Byfield, MA
December 2006

If you meet 4-year-old Theodore, it becomes clear why they call him ‘Teddy.’ He’s just like a teddy bear that you want to pick up and hug. But life hasn’t been so simple for this little guy. Teddy has congenital malformations of his legs, heart and face. He’s undergone multiple surgeries, including cardiac surgery, has a prosthetic leg, and has to have a tube that pushes nutrition into his body. Despite all that, he always shows up for his therapy at NSMC with a big smile on his face.

“Teddy is always so happy and works so hard to accomplish even the smallest things,” said NSMC child life specialist Erin Lavallee, CCLS. “His parents are also exceptional people who encourage his progress every day.”

Shae
Lynn, MA
November 2006

November’s Hero of the Month was an easy choice for the staff at NSMC. Shae is an 8-year-old girl who touched the lives of everyone who cared for her. She came to NSMC after several long days of doctors visits. Shae was diagnosed with a ruptured appendix with an abscess. During her week-long hospital stay she had to have several painful procedures and never once complained. Shae was nominated because of her patience and amazing spirit.

Anicia
Beverly, MA
October 2006

At the age of 11, Anicia has seen more than her fair share of the insides of hospitals. In early 2006, while visiting family in Florida, Anicia got out of the ocean complaining of a headache, had blurred speech, and became weak on her right side. After nearly two months in several different hospitals, she was treated for a dissection of her carotid artery, which led to a stroke. Anicia went through rigorous therapies at NSMC. Her determination and strong will allowed her to go from being unable to walk or talk to now being able to do both, with only mild difficulty.

“Anicia is one of the strongest people I know,” said NSMC pediatric neurologist Lauren Kondev, M.D.. “She has an inspiring attitude that is contagious.”

Catherine
Swampscott, MA
September 2006

Catherine was North Shore Medical Center’s first ever Hero of the Month. She is an amazing 18-year-old young woman who has overcome great odds to get where she is today. Two years ago Catherine was involved in a crash in which the car she was in rolled over several times. She was thrown from the car and landed more than 70 feet away. As a result, Catherine broke her arm, leg, neck, nose, pelvic bones and several ribs. She also suffered a traumatic brain injury. After three weeks in a coma, she spent five months in a rehabilitation hospital. In the months following Catherine worked incredibly hard in her therapy at NSMC, progressing from a wheelchair, to a walker, crutches and finally walking with a cane. She also made up all the school work she missed so she could graduate with her classmates.