Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Samantha's Story

Samantha
Age 10
Shodair Children's Hospital
Connective Tissue Disorder

Samantha loves spending time with the autistic children her mother works with and they love her too. She has a gift of making everyone around her feel loved and important. Her early trials have only deepened her natural empathy, wit and charm.

As a baby, Sam was diagnosed with collagenopathy, a condition that causes orthopedic, vision and hearing challenges. Determined not to let her disabilities get in the way of her success, Sam participates in sports and loves to draw, write, read and perform.

Though her condition is a life-long disease and will require ongoing treatment, Sam looks at the bright side of everything. She faces her future with an impressive energy and vigor. Always seeking to give back to others, Sam dreams of helping others as an OB/GYN doctor.

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champions

Champions is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals program that brings attention to the important work being done at its 170 children’s hospitals. It does this by honoring 54 remarkable kids who have faced severe medical challenges, and helping them tell their stories.

The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2012 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.

The Champions travel for a week in September, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state representatives on Capitol Hill and visit the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. While there, Champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals corporate partners, hospital representatives and media partners. These groups convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.