With 2018 in full effect, On the Pulse is taking a moment to hit rewind to share five stories that might have floated beneath the flurry of headlines in 2017.
We invite you to take a look back at some of last year’s stories that inspired us and gave us hope.
1. A Mother’s Intuition Leads to Picture-Perfect Treatment of Eye Cancer
Amanda De Vos, a professional photographer, was reviewing shots she took of her 15-month-old identical twin daughters, Julia and Jemma, when a photo of Julia caught her attention.
De Vos would learn that the photo she took of Julia would help to identify a rare eye cancer, retinoblastoma, that was stopped in its tracks with an innovative treatment at Seattle Children’s.
2. From Transplant Patient to Aspiring Transplant Surgeon
Wade Washington, 19, was born with chronic kidney disease. When he hit puberty, his kidneys began to fail, which meant he needed a kidney transplant.
Unfortunately, finding a match turned out to be harder than anticipated.
In November 2013, when it became clear that Wade was in dire need of a transplant, there was still no sign of a match. His luck would later shift when his family received the phone call they had been waiting for.
However, there was one caveat.
3. Boy Imprisoned by Intestinal Disease Finds Life-Changing Treatment
Brennan Henderson, 7, was born 3 months premature with a host of debilitating health conditions, including a severe intestinal disease that causes the tissue in parts of the intestine to die off.
Brennan experienced repeated episodes of vomiting or bowel incontinence that made it challenging for him and his family to do normal everyday activities.
After little progress with standard treatment, his family would learn about a trial offered through Seattle Children’s Intestinal Rehabilitation Program. However, after the trial ended and he no longer had access to the experimental drug, Brennan’s good health began to diminish.
The family did everything they could to get Brennan back on the drug – a treatment that can cost over $1,000 a dose.
4. Surgery and Rehab Help Arabelle Lasso Life in Junior Rodeos
Arabelle Laddusaw, 7, was diagnosed at birth with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects muscle movement and limits mobility.
In her hometown of Billings, Montana, Arabelle has participated in rodeos over the last few summers. She is able to sit up straight and grip the reins of her horse, and her cerebral palsy is the last thing slowing down the thrill of events such as barrel racing, pole bending and the crowd favorite, goat tail tying.
However, the prospect of being able to sit naturally on a horse wasn’t always a future possibility for Arabelle until her family learned about a complex procedure that can permanently improve muscle control in children with cerebral palsy.
5. Taylor Overcomes Adversity, Expresses Herself Through Dance
When Taylor Haines, 19, performs, she tells a beautiful story with her body through dance. However, there’s more to her story that meets the eye.
Taylor was born with birth defect that causes complete or partial absence of the fibular bone, the smaller and thinner bone in the lower leg.
The Haines family traveled from their home in Anchorage, Alaska, to Seattle Children’s for treatment where they were given two options: preserve her foot by undergoing a multi-stage treatment plan, or they could have her foot amputated.
