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      Debbie Song, MD, pediatric neurosurgeon
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      Children who have disabilities and complex medical needs—and their families—have been at the center of our mission for more than 120 years. Learn how we've built on this long history to help patients improve their health, achieve greater well-being, and enjoy life.

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    Mateo, Gillette epilepsy patient

    Kids Health Matters
    Tag: advocacy

    Home / Kids Health Matters / advocacy
    Brain Injury and Concussion

    No Helmet, No Slide: Wear a Helmet While Sledding, Because Your Brain Matters

    Winter came on with a vengeance this February, and while every child should be able to have fun sledding, it’s more dangerous than many assume. Find out how to stay safe on the slopes this winter.
    February 20, 2019
    Cerebral Palsy
    Gillette patient Teddy Bailey in Skyway at gillette

    Dear Theodora: One Family’s Cerebral Palsy Journey

    There are few moments in life as exciting and anxiety inducing as the day you have your first child, but for Andrew Bailey and his wife, Amanda, things were a bit more complicated. Amanda was home in Connecticut getting ready for her baby shower. Andrew, a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, was in Seattle for an away game.
    January 8, 2019
    Cerebral Palsy
    Group photo of Gillette patients at TCF field during Mauer event

    Sports, Fundraising and Fun at the Mauer and Friends Kids Classic

    It's rare for a singular event to bring so much joy and meaning to so many individuals and organizations, but Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare's celebration of the 3rd Annual Mauer and Friends Kids Classic, did just that. The event took place on a perfect, June day, and 25 Gillette patients and their families had the experience of a lifetime down on the grass of Target Field.
    June 26, 2018
    Disability Advocacy
    Gillette patient, James Bostic

    Many the Miles: Deep Brain Stimulation Gives the Gift of a Son

    As loud music filled the adjoining hallways near the Neurosciences unit at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, passersby could be forgiven if they were a bit confused. The atmosphere was festive and there was good reason for it. At long last, James Bostic, 17, was able to go home. He had been in the hospital for 15 months.
    June 7, 2018
    Brain Injury and Concussion
    Old hockey photo of Landon

    Letters to My Landon: A Message to My Son

    Every now and again, I write a new letter to my son, Landon. It’s my testament to him. To who he was, to who he is, and to who he could someday be.
    June 3, 2018
    Gillette patient Ronin with mom

    Expansion of Complex Care Services at Gillette Streamlines Care for Families

    In the United States, approximately one in twenty-five children is considered “medically complex.” What this means is that these are individuals who have multiple chronic and severe health conditions.
    May 29, 2018
    Gillette on the Job

    Why I’m Here: For My Sister, for My Patients

    When I work with my patients, something that comes out over time is that I understand the profound stress and anxiety that can come with caring for a child who has complex medical needs. I know this because I’ve devoted my career to working with patients who have disabilities, but also because I’ve lived it.
    May 20, 2018
    Awards and Achievements

    Title of ‘Minnesota Miss Amazing’ Gives Katie Allee Platform for Advocacy

    On April 7th, 2018, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Minnesota Miss Amazing pageant. I was lucky enough to learn about this event from a friend who became involved in the past, and had expressed that the event was an awesome experience for her and her family.
    April 24, 2018
    Cerebral Palsy
    Sophia in the James R. Gage Center for Gait and Motion Analysis

    Family Makes 700-Mile Journey to Treat Daughter’s Cerebral Palsy

    "Every step Sophia takes is a testament to the countless dedicated individuals who made it possible," says her mother, Susan Slinkard. Sophia and her family traveled from Arkansas to Minnesota for major neurosurgery aimed at reducing Sophia's spasticity.
    April 20, 2018
    Disability Advocacy

    Lincoln is Going to be Lincoln: How I Learned To Stop Worrying About My Son With Special Needs

    Parents worry. Parents worry about their child’s growth, development, friends, school, future. It’s a universal truth, baked into our biology. When a child is diagnosed with special needs, however, a parent’s worry can snowball into anxiety. That's what happened to me, but here's what I did.
    April 12, 2018
    Disability Advocacy

    Project SEARCH Helps Students Who Have Disabilities Transition from Classroom to Workplace

    Project SEARCH combines classroom instruction and career exploration through hands-on training for students who have disabilities. This is Gillette’s first year participating in the program, through a partnership with the White Bear Lake Area Schools, and the interns have progressed in leaps and bounds.
    April 4, 2018
    Cerebral Palsy

    The Long Way Round: A Look Back on my Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

    When Jenna Robinson was born, she only weighed three pounds and doctors told her parents she’d never be a “rocket scientist.” Now 28, she holds a Master’s degree in social work and has dedicated her life to helping individuals who have disabilities lead more independent lives.
    March 21, 2018
    Cerebral Palsy
    Gillette patient Louie Romero posing in the skyway

    It’s Not a Career, It’s a Calling: Bringing My Son Home

    Louie Romero is a smiley kid that simply can’t help the fact that he is irrepressibly charming. It's Louie's personality that makes an impression when you meet him. The fact that he is in a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy ranks much lower on the list.
    March 12, 2018
    Disability Advocacy

    Minnesota at its Best, Sled Hockey for Children who Have Disabilities

    You know, there might be nothing more Minnesotan than lacing up a pair of skates and heading out to the rink. “You bet, you’d better believe it,” says Tony Lang of Loretto, Minnesota. “I grew up playing hockey my whole life. It’s a family tradition. In fact, when we had kids I built a rink in our backyard.”
    February 22, 2018
    Disability Advocacy

    My New Year’s Resolution: Being Courageous for My Daughter

    Most parents would tell you that having a child changes your life in ways you never could have imagined. That certainly was the case for my husband, Mike and me. Our daughter, Peyton, is now 6 years old, and it’s been a journey of hope, faith and love.
    January 4, 2018
    Craniofacial

    A New Mom’s Diary: Joy Immeasurable, No Sleep and Plagiocephaly

    Marlowe Mary Madich is eager to smile, yet surprisingly stingy with her giggles. But her penchant for dancing along to “Shake Your Groove Thing” wins over just about any room pretty rapidly.
    December 5, 2017
    Cerebral Palsy
    Gillette patient Kaidyn with therapy dog at Gillette.

    Help Fund Animal-Assisted Therapy at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

    “I don’t think it would surprise anyone to learn that a lot of children love dogs,” says Emily DeBreto. “While we’ve had volunteers bring in therapeutic dogs at the hospital for comfort, we wanted to get our dogs more involved with the actual functional aspects of the therapy we’re providing.”
    November 16, 2017
    Disability Advocacy

    It’s Not Just Bumps and Bruises: A Letter on Bullying from an Anonymous Mom

    An anonymous mom opens up about her son, bullying, the many lessons she's learned raising a child who has a disability--and the one lesson she'd like to pass on.
    October 25, 2017
    Cerebral Palsy

    Why Medicaid Matters to my Family: Let’s Talk About it

    Rebecca Pierce, the mother of a Gillette patient, speaks out about the importance of protecting Medicaid for children who have disabilities.
    September 26, 2017
    Disability Advocacy

    Katie Allee Goes to Washington: A National Advocate for Kids Who Have Disabilities

    "This experience allowed me to advocate for the issues I care about to some of the most important people who can present my ideas on a larger scale," says Katie Allee. Learn about Katie's recent trip to D.C. and why she's passionate about being a voice for all children who have complex conditions.
    September 21, 2017
    Safety and Wellness
    Storm Safety Tips, Gillette children's

    Preparedness Key to Helping Loved Ones Who Have Disabilities Weather Storms Safely

    Recent natural disasters in the southern U.S. in the form of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have sparked heightened awareness of why it’s important to have a plan when natural disasters, including blizzards and tornadoes strike your area. Disaster preparedness is even more crucial for families of children who have complex conditions.
    September 12, 2017
    Disability Advocacy
    Kelsey, leaning against wall after yoga practice

    Kelsey Teaches Yoga, Defies Disability

    Kelsey's attitude is so affecting, she says that most people don’t notice at first. Kelsey was born with a radial club hand, and her left arm is significantly shorter than her right. This means that when she’s instructing yoga—perhaps the most public of exercises—she’s essentially doing most of it, one-handed.
    July 28, 2017
    Cerebral Palsy

    She’s Katie. It’s Not What She Has, It’s Who She Is

    Katie Allee takes Advanced Placement classes. She’s 15, and she’s a straight-A student. Her mind? It’s all there, and she’ll tell you as much. But when it comes to her body physically, for much of her life, she’s had difficulty.
    July 10, 2017
    Spine and Scoliosis
    Erika, gillette spine patient, gets ready to shoot hoops

    Straight Shooter: Erika Comes Back After Spinal Fusion

    "I realized, for the first time, that I was shooting straight. Due to my scoliosis, I'd been overcompensating." Erika, a basketball player, gained confidence after surgery to correct her spinal curvature.
    June 7, 2017
    Disability Advocacy

    120 Years of Can at the Minnesota State Capitol

    Gillette patients, families and employees joined together at the Minnesota State Capitol to mark our 120th anniversary. Check out photos of the celebration!
    April 26, 2017
    Disability Advocacy

    Celebrating Gillette Day at the Minnesota Capitol

    On April 25, Gillette patients, families and staff will gather at the Minnesota State Capitol to kick off the hospital's 120th anniversary. See why advocating for Minnesota children who have complex conditions is important to Gillette.
    April 13, 2017
    Spine and Scoliosis

    Inimitable Avery: Relentless After Treatment for Scoliosis

    "It was definitely a shock. I almost didn’t believe it at first. I’m a competitive swimmer and athlete; I’d never really been hurt or sick in my entire life. I didn’t even know what scoliosis was." - Avery Wright
    April 6, 2017
    My Gillette Story

    Limb Lengthening and Perseverance Give Katelyn Momentum

    “They almost didn’t notice it at first,” Karey Hall says. When her daughter Katelyn was born, her left leg was missing two toes and had an abnormal, rainbow-like bend to it. “No one at the clinic had ever seen anything quite like it before.”
    January 11, 2017
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    Print Page
    • Topics

      • Awards and Achievements
      • Brain Injury and Concussion
      • Cerebral Palsy
      • Craniofacial
      • Disability Advocacy
      • Epilepsy and Seizures
      • Gait Analysis
      • Gillette on the Job
      • Giving
      • Meet Us Monday
      • My Gillette Story
      • Neurology and Neurosurgery
      • Orthopedics
      • Patient Stories
      • Pediatric Trauma
      • Rare Conditions
      • Rehabilitation
      • Research and Innovation
      • Safety and Wellness
      • Spina Bifida
      • Spine and Scoliosis
      • Uncategorized
    • Recent Posts

      • No Helmet, No Slide: Wear a Helmet While Sledding, Because Your Brain Matters
      • Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, a Great Dane and the Minnesota Twins: Cameron’s “Wild Journey” to Improved Mobility
      • Vagus Nerve Stimulation Gives Wyatt His Childhood Back
      • Lengthening Limbs to Transform Lives: Gillette Welcomes Aaron Huser, DO
      • Limb-Lengthening and the Triumphant Life of Kate Ketelhohn
      • Dear Theodora: One Family’s Cerebral Palsy Journey
      • Gillette Foundation Lands Generous Grant That Will Help Expand Our Spine Program
      • Cassidy CAN Stand and Cheer
    • Archives

      • February, 2019
      • January, 2019
      • December, 2018
      • November, 2018
      • October, 2018
      • September, 2018
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      • June, 2018
      • May, 2018
      • April, 2018
      • March, 2018
      • February, 2018
      • January, 2018
      • December, 2017
      • November, 2017
      • October, 2017
      • September, 2017
      • August, 2017
      • July, 2017
      • June, 2017
      • May, 2017
      • April, 2017
      • March, 2017
      • February, 2017
      • January, 2017
      • December, 2016
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      • More Archives
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