Meet Birdie: A Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Champion
champion, is participating in Family Advocacy
Day 2023.
Birdie was born undiagnosed and given a low percentage of survival. Thankfully, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital accepted her into the congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) program that same day and were able to provide more information and assurance.
“Birdie was born struggling to breathe and we knew she would need help,” says Mary, Birdie’s mother.
Birdie was placed on a ventilator almost immediately after birth, a week later she was transferred to Johns Hopkins and had surgery for CDH where a patch was placed to cover the hole in her diaphragm.
After the hole was repaired, she spent the rest of her hospital stay weaning off breathing support. She was released on oxygen but went back into the hospital one month later for stomach exploratory surgery. Birdie’s gallbladder was removed, and she was then taken off of all her oxygen support.
“Because of the care from her doctors and nurses, Birdie is leading a normal life as any one and half year old is,” says Mary.
Today, Birdie is doing well and loves playing with her sisters.
Family Advocacy Day
Elevating patient stories and educating lawmakers remains critical to increase awareness about the essential care provided by children's hospitals.
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