Patient Stories

Read inspiring stories of hope from patients and families treated at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Have your own inspiring patient story to share? If you’d like to share your Nicklaus Children's story to inspire hope, and help other families find answers to questions they’re seeking for their child, please contact us at: info@nicklaushealth.org.

Santi Beats the Odds: A Story of Perseverance

Santi brings joy to everyone around him, despite his medical limitations. At only age 7, Santi has memorized the telephone numbers of all his favorite people, including some of his nurses at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Read this story.

Tamryn Gets to Walk Again after Deep Brain Stimulation Treatment at Nicklaus Children's

After Tamryn was diagnosed with TOR1-A Torsion Dystonia Type 1, a rare movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal movements, he underwent surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s to have a Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS) implanted. Read this story.

Sofia's Inspiring Journey with SMA

Sofia was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2, a genetic condition that affects the spinal cord’s ability to control the muscles, decreasing and limiting mobility. In Sofia’s 6 years of life, she has already overcome more medical challenges than most adults. Read this story.

Patient of the Month: Fabricio

Fabricio was born prematurely at 32 weeks and spent 21 days in the ICU at a hospital in Colombia. Almost a year later Fabricio's family learned that he had spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, but it wasn't until a pediatric orthopedic surgeon visited Cartagena, Colombia on a mission trip where she met Fabricio and knew that she and her team at Nicklaus Children's could help. Read this story.

Emet’s Brachial Plexus Injury Has Not Hindered His Dream of Becoming a Power Ranger

At his birth, Emet’s shoulder became stuck in his mother’s pelvis, causing an injury to his brachial plexus, a network of nerves in the neck that control the arm. The family was referred to the Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Program, where Emet had surgery to repair the nerves. He continues his therapy and visits Dr. Berger for quarterly checkups. Emet dreams of becoming a Power Ranger when he is older. Read this story.

A More Mobile Future for Jabarry

Jabarry has always dreamed of playing soccer and basketball, but these activities were not possible due to his muscular limitations associated with cerebral palsy. He was a candidate for single event multilevel surgery (SEMLS), a surgical procedure that aims to correct many of these issues in one to two surgeries. After a successful surgery, Jabarry is now taking steps and has had the opportunity to kick a soccer ball and score a goal! Read this story.

Celebrating Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month with Kyrie

Kyrie was born prematurely at only 24 weeks and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler. Life keeps getting better for Kyrie after a life-changing surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital that has enabled him to do things his parents never before thought possible, such as swimming and horseback riding. He is now walking independently and continues to show his fighting spirit. Read this story.

Patient of the Month: Gianna

After noticing that her daughter was unable to crawl, stand, or do the things her friend's children were doing at six months of age, Idalmis decided that it was time to seek help. Sure enough, after some consultations and genetic testing, Idalmis' gut feeling was right. Read this story.

Asnay Stands Up to Cerebral Palsy

Asnay Machado is an ambitious Westland Senior High School student with dreams of becoming a lawyer one day. Asnay, who was born with cerebral palsy, recently enjoyed a boost in confidence thanks to a surgery at Nicklaus Children’s that has enabled him to stand up straight for the first time. Read this story.

Devon, Determined to Stand

At around 6 months of age, Devon's mother started noticing that he wasn't meeting his developmental milestones. By the time he was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy and his muscle development was impaired. Surgery, physical therapy, and Devon's own determination brought his quality of life beyond what his mother had initially thought possible. Read this story.

Patient of the Month: Astry

After Astry was born, her parents noticed that she wasn't progressing as babies typically do. She wasn't able to lift her head and she showed a lot of muscle weakness. Her pediatrician recommended they take her to see a neurologist, and so Astry's parents brought her to Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Read this story.

Making a Difference for Michael

Michael Hadler is a busy high school student, an ambassador and volunteer for the Best Buddies Program and Miracle League athlete whose favorite subjects include creative writing and world history. Oh, and Michael also has spastic cerebral palsy. Read this story.

Sebastian's Cerebral Palsy Success Story

Sebastian was diagnosed with a severe case of cerebral palsy, a condition that causes difficulty with muscle control. In Sebastian’s case, it would make it nearly impossible to pass key milestones like chewing solid foods and walking. Read this story.