Real Stories, Real People

From the Gallinger Family

So many of us have been directly affected by Children's Hospital or know someone else who has. We all know how many challenges come with raising children. There are daily issues to manage and worries and concerns, and when you factor in an illness or physical challenge, short or long-term, it can really be a lot for a family to deal with.

We are so thankful to have a hospital and clinic specialized for children so nearby. Our family's experience with Children's started even before my son was born. It was confirmed by ultrasound at 22 weeks gestation that he would be born with a cleft lip and palate, something we had very little knowledge about. It was a very scary and emotional time for my husband and myself. We had appointments at the Craniofacial Clinic at Children's soon after to educate and prepare us for our journey ahead. We went home with names and numbers of other families we could talk with who were living with similar experiences. We got to talk with some of his future doctors and health care team. We were stocked up on special bottles for his feeding needs. It was all a lot to deal with but by the time he was born, we were ready. He had two surgeries, one at 4 months and another at 1 year. He is now 8 and we're gearing up for another surgery in the next 6 to 12 months.   

Since then we've had two daughters as well, the youngest of whom was also born with the same diagnosis. We are down at Children's 3 or 4 times throughout the year on average and I can't say enough great things about them. There is no better place for specialized care than at Children's! The staff and doctors that have participated in our family's care are wonderful.  Not only are they some of the best skilled doctors and surgeons around, they really get down to the child's level and try to make it a positive experience for the entire family.