Isabelle

Isabelle started her CHaD journey at the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) after she was born at 33 weeks and transported to DHMC. Her parents, Elizabeth and Rich are grateful for the care Isabelle received from expert doctors, who not only cared for Isabelle, but for their family as well. Her team thoroughly answered all of their questions, keeping them informed of Isabelle’s progress.

Today, Isabelle is a spirited seven-year-old, who enjoys being a Kid Ambassador and attending the yearly Dartmouth Health Children’s events. They have helped her gain more confidence, and speak to new people in the community. Her favorite activities include reading, swimming, and sports like t-ball and soccer. She is happy to be a Kid HERO!

Dallas

Dallas was born with Full Trisomy 18 and was immediately admitted into the CHaD Intensive Care Nursery (ICN). Spending five months there, he underwent heart surgery at just seven weeks old and defied all odds of survival.

He is still followed by a full care team and enjoys visits to the Transitional Long-Term Care Clinic. Now happy and sassy, Dallas is a five-year old who loves dinosaurs and dancing to music. His mother, Megan truly feels that Dartmouth Health Children’s is part of their story, and their family. Dallas is constantly showing his family and his care team that he has more to show everyone!

Silas

Silas endured a brain injury at birth, resulting in his Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. Seeking an Endocrinologist, his family took him to CHaD in 2023, where he now has a team of specialists to aid with his lists of diagnoses as he continues to grow. His mother, Melissa, is grateful they have such amazing doctors close to their home, where they can monitor and treat his new symptoms as they arise.

Although he is nonverbal, Silas has a lot to share with the world. He represents other nonverbal kids, who communicate differently. Using assistive technology and adaptive equipment, Silas shows there are no limits to what he can do. Among his favorite activities are skating on his outdoor hockey rink, spending time outdoors, and swimming!

At thirteen, Silas is an inspiration to so many, representing the disabled community by showing all he can do, and creating a more accessible world.

Chase

Chase was born in 2016 and spent time in the CHaD Intensive Care Nursery (ICN). At a check-up just before his first birthday, Chase’s doctors noticed abnormalities during a routine head and neck exam. Doctors ordered more tests and ultrasounds and quickly diagnosed Chase with Hydrocephalus, excess fluids and pressure on the brain. Chase was scheduled for surgery at CHaD to remove the fluid and pressure from his brain.

At 6 months old, his mother Stefanie also began to notice that some of his features seemed to be a little different than normal. Stefanie began researching and with the help of Chase’s doctors, they found that he was born with a rare genetic mutation called Macrocephaly-Capillary Malformation (MC-M).

Chase is now a very active and happy eight-year-old boy, who has participated in many events with Dartmouth Health Children’s throughout the years with his parents. They are grateful for all the help they’ve received.

Riley

At just 13 months old, Riley was diagnosed with a rare neurological mitochondrial disease called LEIGH. Battling a combination of shingles, pneumonia, and RSV unfortunately resulted in her need to be on a ventilator 24/7. Given only 2-3 years prognosis, Riley has defied those odds, as she is now a twelve–year–old girl who enjoys music and movies, and unicorns!

Riley visits her doctors and care team at CHaD, and attends school, where she continues to make everyone smile, including her classmates who love the opportunity to see her. Her family, including her mother, Amye, continues to be inspired by Riley, as she smiles through everything she endures.

Amye hopes that sharing Riley’s story helps others see that even in sadness, there is happiness, and we can take each moment as a gift and a memory.

Ellah

Ellah's was born in 2017 at 24 weeks old, which necessitated immediate medical attention. She was flown by DHART to DHMC ICN.

Her medical journey was marked by critical heart surgery, known as Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), at six weeks old, during which her exceptional medical team provided life-saving care. The team's tireless efforts to extubate her ultimately resulted in a tracheotomy and G-Tube to ensure breathing stability. Following a prolonged six-month ICN stay, Ellah's parents were finally able to bring her home; a momentous occasion that was the greatest gift they could have asked for.

Ellah's unwavering strength and resilience has profoundly impacted their lives as parents. Now eight years old, Ellah continues to thrive, having successfully overcome her medical challenges, and is flourishing in school, reveling in the opportunity to learn alongside her peers. Ellah is, without a doubt, her family's medical miracle, and her parents feel indebted to the medical professionals who guided and supported them throughout her journey.

Hayden

Hayden was born at 25 weeks, weighing 1lb 10 oz. He was transported to CHaD to the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) where he was fighting for his life. Hayden had a lot of ups and downs and stayed there for 5 months and 4 days. He had several surgeries while he was there including a Cricoid Split Surgery and closure of heart murmur. Hayden wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for his amazing doctors and nurses.

Today, Hayden is full of life and a kindhearted 14-year-old boy. He enjoys being a Kid Ambassador and attending the yearly Dartmouth Health Children’s Hockey event. He loves to play soccer and basketball and hang out with his friends. Hayden has a quiet voice due to his airways but otherwise he is a healthy teenager. He is all about the underdogs and brings smiles wherever he goes. He is happy to be a Kid HERO!

Luca

Luca was born ten weeks early and spent six months in the ICN before coming home. During that time, he endured two surgeries, multiple tests and procedures, and was ultimately diagnosed with a rare genetic disease.

At just under two years old, with his complex history, he is the most resilient and determined little human and continues to amaze everyone. Luca’s family, including his mom Megan, hopes that sharing Lucca’s story will help spread awareness.

Holly

Holly’s experience with CHaD started when her mom, Nhu, gave birth at 35-weeks. Holly was diagnosed with ileum atresia and had her first surgery the day after she was born. Holly and her family were at the ICN for 93 days.

Staff at CHaD were supportive from the start. As a first–time mom, nothing could prepare Nhu for the emotional tug of war that comes with caring for a sick child. There were a lot of uncertainties at the time but Holly’s team of doctors, nurses, a case manager, and social worker gave her family hope.

In May of 2024, after 3 hospitalizations due to severe anemia, Holly went through 2 bowel surgeries and spent 6 weeks at CHaD inpatient Pediatric unit. Again, staff were there to support and provided her family with all the resources to make Holly’s hospital stay easier for her mental health. Holly had gone through so much, but when talking about the time she stayed in the hospital, all she has are the good memories where she got to spend time in the playroom, do arts and crafts with the staff, and meet therapy dogs. Her family is forever thankful for all the love and care that Holly has received for the past 7 years.