Patient Stories
Published on October 7, 2019
Brothers Walter (left) and Lloyd
How Lloyd’s Little Brother Overcame a Skull Condition and Became the Coolest Kid at the Playground
By Michael Y. Park
It wasn’t an easy thing to explain to a 3-year-old, and even now, Sarah and Dan aren’t sure how much of what they were... Read More
Published on October 1, 2019
In an indoor rock-climbing class for patients with hand differences, a wall is just part of what they’re learning to surmount.
By Jeff Weinstock
“Take!”
For the fourth time Akira has called out the one-word cue, prompting her rock-climbing instructor, Quinn, serving on... Read More
Published on September 9, 2019
Hemophilia hasn’t slowed down 3-year-old Braxton—thanks to doctors from CHLA
By Matt Villano
Roughly 20,000 people in the United States live with hemophilia, a bleeding disorder in which blood lacks the requisite protein to clot normally. Few have lived with the condition... Read More
Published on August 29, 2019
By Sara Nafie
To countless families, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a home away from home. That is certainly the case for Quinn, born Dec. 4, 2018, and her parents, Quinshae and Keith. Soon they hope to take their daughter home to Riverside, but for now, CHLA is the only... Read More
Published on August 23, 2019
Two doctors' research into an obscure field changed this 3-year-old’s life
by Michael Y. Park
It was obvious there was a problem as soon as Oliver was born.
Oliver’s birth in 2015 was already complicated—he was in a breech position and had to be delivered via a cesarean... Read More
Published on August 16, 2019
In the concluding half of this two-part story, a CHLA family learns whether their home survived the Woolsey fire, baby Max’s cleft lip is repaired, and Max’s mother tries to sort through the aftereffects of 10 days of trauma. (Read Part 1.)
By Jeff Weinstock
Lauren’s... Read More
Published on August 14, 2019
In this special two-part story, a CHLA family endures an extraordinary 10-day odyssey, confronting consecutive human tragedies—the Borderline Bar & Grill shooting and the Woolsey fire—while their premature newborn remains in intensive care and awaits surgery for a cleft... Read More
Published on July 11, 2019
The dawning of gene therapy at CHLA saved a 5-year-old girl from inevitable blindness.By Jeff WeinstockYou will have to grant a parental pardon to Heather for her momentary excessive permissiveness, allowing her 5-year-old daughter to race down the block after dark, free from... Read More
Published on June 5, 2019
Leah found a new future at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which offers the most advanced care for the tiniest patients and their mothers, even before birth.
By Candace Pearson
At only 2 days old, and 5 lbs., 3 oz., Leah Faith commanded the attention of the two dozen... Read More
Published on June 4, 2019
By Katie Sweeney
If you see 4-year-old Adrian obediently eating his vegetables at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, you can be sure of one thing: It’s almost time for him to go to the hospital’s new epilepsy playroom.
“We’re able to negotiate almost anything with him if it’s... Read More
Published on May 31, 2019
Every June, thousands of supporters come together for CHLA's Walk and Play L.A. Christina Osumi-Cabaya had so much fun last year, she and her husband rallied an even bigger group of family and friends to join them this year. Here, she explains the inspiring reason why she... Read More
Published on May 22, 2019
By Matt Villano
Not even a rare marrow disorder can keep Isaiah off the ice for long
Watching 11-year-old Isaiah play hockey, one might think he had the sport in his blood.
No. 71 is always the fastest kid on the ice, chasing down the puck with seemingly effortless speed. His... Read More
Published on April 24, 2019
Baby Striver was born with three heart chambers instead of four. He’s been a fighter ever since.
By Matt Villano
The early stages of Megan’s pregnancy began the way these things often do.
There was the nervous anticipation of that positive pregnancy test; the joy expectant... Read More
Published on April 4, 2019
How occupational therapist Jamie Berggren helps infants recover from a potentially disabling nerve injury suffered at birth.
By Jeff Weinstock
Therapy is a bummer, Maurice could tell you. It’s his first teachable moment, and at 8 months old he’s receiving it on his stomach,... Read More
Published on March 15, 2019
By Katie Sweeney
On the morning of Aug. 21, 2017, a nurse brought a special gift into 2-year-old Elliott’s room at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles: a pair of eclipse glasses.
It was the day of the much-anticipated total solar eclipse—the first in nearly a century to be... Read More
Published on February 28, 2019
What caused a young girl’s liver and kidney disease? The mystery continues as her doctors plan for a transplant of both organs.
By Jeff Weinstock
Rachel Lestz, MD, not one to mince words or to conserve them, is abruptly stuck in a pause, halfway between a plausible... Read More
Published on February 22, 2019
By Katie Sweeney
The new heart was on its way down from the helipad.
At the same time, Cynthia Herrington, MD, was carefully removing Ruben’s old heart from his chest. It was a heart she had seen before—she had operated on it when Ruben, now 2, was just a few days old.
She... Read More
Published on February 21, 2019
Young Charlie is living a full life—with half a heart
By Matt Villano
Considering the amount of love in his life, considering how much he seems to enjoy every moment with his siblings and parents, it’s hard to believe 8-month-old Charlie was born with half a heart.
The... Read More
Published on January 30, 2019
By Michael Y. Park
It seems like the magic of the moment sweeps up Eliana, unannounced, at key instances in her life. Last year it happened at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala, when she was brought onstage by none other than musician, producer and music mogul... Read More
Published on January 24, 2019
By Katie Sweeney
This is a story about Kalea and Noah—two siblings who are also best friends. Best, best friends.
“Oh my gosh, they are completely best friends,” says their mom, Nohea. “From the beginning, their personalities complemented each other perfectly.” ... Read More