It’s funny, you never know at the time when you’re living the day that will change your life forever. But that’s what happened to me the day I met a boy named Bennett.

Stuttering is one of the most common reasons children come to Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare for a speech evaluation. Stuttering affects about 70 million people worldwide, including 3 million people in the United States. Gillette speech-language pathologist, Graham Schenck, PhD, shares when parents should be concerned about their child's speech.

ZaLayaa Wandrick is 9 years old. She’s an excellent cook, crafter and loves science, soccer and coding, but for much of her life, has had to deal with multiple sensory and complex medical conditions. Since her infancy, Zalayaa has endured a variety of different symptoms that have impacted her daily life, but perhaps the most frustrating thing about all of it has been that the underlying cause of these issues remained a mystery.

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare is internationally known for its excellence in caring for people diagnosed with cerebral palsy and is encouraging people to mark World CP Day on October 6, 2021. For nearly 125 years the doctors, nurses, therapists and staff at Gillette have worked every day to provide the very best care for all children.

The 75th Annual Meeting of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) will begin on October 6. Throughout the course of the week, more than 25 Gillette experts will present and share their expertise with medical providers from all over the country. Among those experts will be Tom Novacheck, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, one of the leaders of Gillette’s CP team and the incoming President of the AACPDM in 2022.   

Parents and health officials are bracing for what some are calling a “triple threat” to the health of children as the COVID-19 pandemic collides with the start of flu season and a surge of respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. Gillette is boosting efforts to make sure children who are medically fragile get a flu vaccination and is educating people about how to curb RSV and COVID-19.

Colton is 7 years old and this past April, had his 60th surgical procedure. Read Colton's remarkable story of resiliency in the face of adversity, here.

From Maine to Mississippi, hundreds of supporters gathered on Saturday, Sept. 18 to raise funds for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Participants in the 2021 Walk & Roll: Neighborhood Edition raised over $70,000 in support of Gillette’s mission. Donations will power leading-edge research, expert care, and financial assistance programs. Every dollar raised has a direct impact in the lives of the patients and families served by Gillette.  

If to be inspiring is based upon who you are, what you do and how you make those around you feel, then Abby is precisely that and more. That’s probably why she’s a Paralympian. Abby and her team took home the Bronze Medal at the 2021 Paralympic Games.

The Paralympic Games are underway in Tokyo. Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare has a history of encouraging all people to participate in sports. Our strong therapeutic recreation program helps children find opportunities to stay physically active. The benefits of consistent physical activity include better weight control, improved heart and muscle strength and the opportunity to make new friends.

Harrison Clausnitzer from Lakeville, MN is a 5-year-old bundle of joy and is the ambassador for this year’s Walk and Roll to raise money to support Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Every dollar raised during the event supports Gillette’s mission ensure every child can reach their full potential. Due to COVID-19 precautions, this year’s September 18th Walk and Roll will once again be a neighborhood event with families using their creativity to be active and advocate for Gillette.

The therapeutic recreation specialists at Gillette can help plan family summer activities to make sure children who have mobility or health challenges can have fun in the sun. COVID-19 precautions require thought and planning before venturing out of the house.

Communication is important to a good overall quality of life. The team approach to care at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare means an occupational therapist, a speech language pathologist and experts in orthotics, prosthetics and seating (OPS) work with families to help children communicate and socialize. When 6-year-old Maya was diagnosed with INAD, a rare, genetic disorder, her parents and a team of Gillette experts helped Maya find her voice.

Now that vaccine eligibility has expanded in many states, we thought it might be helpful to sit down with Tori Bahr, MD, a pediatric complex care physician at Gillette to discuss the facts about the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available. 

When I work with my patients at Gillette, I try not to impose my story and my “why” on them and their families. But inevitably, it comes up. My younger brother, Peter has cerebral palsy. He’s why I do what I do and why I’m here. I’m immensely proud of him and grateful to have had the privilege of being his sister.

Families are giving praise and support to Spastic Diplegia—Bilateral Cerebral Palsy written by Ireland-based author, Lily Collison. The book was released by Gillette Children’s Healthcare Press just before the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare enhances the lives of people who have cerebral palsy (CP) and advocates for their well-being and care. Joe Carr has received CP care at Gillette for most of his life. He recently received a special honor from his high school classmates and is a strong example of Gillette’s focus on inclusion and realizing your potential.

In light of current guidelines that determine who is eligible for vaccine prioritization, Gillette reached out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Commissioner Jan Malcom to urge them to consider the inclusion of people who have disabilities.

The Quinn family shares their experience about their newborn daughter receiving a diagnosis of craniosynostosis. They appreciate the Gillette team approach to care which allows for collaboration between the neurosurgeon and the plastic surgeon to formulate a clear, patient-specific plan. Two surgeons working side-by-side in the operating room decreases operating time and reduces the length of exposure a child has to general anesthesia.

Even in a normal year, the winter months can present challenges when it comes to getting out and staying active. In a time when many would be transitioning to doing more activities indoors, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced additional challenges. However, there are still many ways to stay active and have fun this winter.

Going sledding is ridiculously fun, but it can also be dangerous. Wearing a helmet makes it safer.

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 9 years old, and it’s been a journey of hope, faith and love.

In a time where many may feel disconnected, the providers at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare are going out of their way to remind our patients and their families that we see them and that their inclusion matters. This is happening in a variety of ways, but let’s start with a girl named Mari and her new doll.

Angela Sinner, DO has worked as a Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Physician at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare for nearly a decade. She is the co-director of Gillette's inpatient rehabilitation unit and Sinner specializes in treating cerebral palsy, muscle spasticity and tone management, as well as traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Learn more about her, here:

Minnesota and neighboring states have hit record numbers of COVID-19 cases recently. This spike in cases of the virus prompted Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz, to announce increased restrictions regarding group gatherings earlier this afternoon. These new restrictions will be enacted at 10 p.m. on Friday, November 13.

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month as well as National Bullying Prevention Month. Most people have experienced some form of bullying during their lives, but unfortunately, many children who have disabilities experience this much more acutely. Earlier this year Gillette patients, Chloe and Gracie sat down to talk about the care they received at Gillette. They also touched on some of the bullying they dealt with at school along the way.

Owen Nei is 11 years old, an avid hockey and baseball player, and a young man who lights up every room he’s in with his positive, irrepressible attitude. Given how his life started out, the fact that he’s even here, much less doing all of these things, is nothing short of a miracle.

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month and October 25 is World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day. To recognize the day and the month, we're sharing the story of Chloe and Gracie, two longtime Gillette patients connected by spina bifida, but much more than that, their profound friendship. Read their story here.

On World Cerebral Palsy Day, Gillette Children’s Healthcare Press is pleased to highlight a book that combines medically rigorous medical information and the personal story of a mother searching for the best care for her son who is diagnosed with CP. Spastic Diplegia—Bilateral Cerebral Palsy is written by Lily Collison, an Ireland-based author and the mother of a Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare patient.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. While much has been done to help curb bullying behavior, the statistics show more needs to be done. One study shows 60 percent of children who have disabilities report being bullied regularly.

"Grady’s so much more than his condition. The way we see it is that God gave us this incredibly cool kid who’s had to deal with a few things. We've had challenges, but life is good even when stuff is hard. Either way, because of Gillette and the care they provide, Grady's future will be whatever he decides it to be. That’s no small thing.”

At Target Field, every Sunday is Kid’s Day and on a beautiful summer day in August of 2019, Samuel Anastos scored the first honorary run of a Minnesota Twins game. It was a joyous moment made all the more meaningful because there was a time in Sam’s life when his parents questioned whether he would learn to walk or talk, much less run.

There's a new level of excitement and commitment to conducting research at Gillette that could change and improve the lives of countless numbers of children everywhere, and donor support is pivotal in leading the charge. 

The associate medical director of pediatrics at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Madeleine Gagnon, MD, was recently appointed to the Board of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MNAAP).

Speak Now for Kids Week is a public platform for citizen advocates to learn, get involved and influence the outcomes of current child health policies. This year, three Gillette families met with representatives from the Minnesota Congressional Delegation to advocate for kids and Children's Hospitals.

With her shock of blonde hair blowing in the wind, Mari laughs while flying down the trails on her mountain bike and has aspirations to conquer the monkey bars at her local playground. These athletic feats become all the more impressive when you consider the fact that Mari was born missing nearly all of the fingers on her right hand.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning parents and medical professionals that 2020 will be another peak year for cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) a rare, polio-like neurological condition that affects mostly children. Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare is ready to be an important center for AFM care and rehabilitation when the outbreak is set to peak this fall.

When virtual appointments were first proposed, we were appreciative but admittedly skeptical about how that would work. But having recently made the shift over to virtual appointments, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by how seamless the transition was. Naturally, there were some growing pains in the beginning, but there were many benefits that emerged over time.

Joe Carr is a socially connected doer and thinker so a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic was not about to stop him from launching his 5th annual Lemonade Stand Fundraiser for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. In fact, Joe and his team say in a strange twist COVID-19 might make this year of fund raising even more successful.

Matthew suffered a traumatic brain injury 15 years ago. After the treatment at Gillette that saved his life, he’s had a singular goal: To live every day, better and stronger. As he says, “It’s not about what I lost, it’s about what I’m getting back.”

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

Kristin Smith, CO, is the lead orthotist of the OPS spinal orthotics team, and has worked at Gillette for nearly 20 years. When it comes to scoliosis, her relationship with the condition is both professional, as well as deeply personal. Read our conversation with Kristin below.

"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.

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare has launched a new resource to help parents of children who have complex, rare or traumatic conditions. The first book released by the new Gillette Children’s Healthcare Press is Spastic Diplegia—Bilateral Cerebral Palsy and it’s written by Lily Collison, an Ireland-based author and the mother of a Gillette patient.

There are a lot of people who are missing everyday aspects of a normal life right now. There are also countless young adults that are missing out on defining milestones like high school graduation, that before COVID-19, many of us took for granted. We recently spoke with two high school seniors who've been treated at Gillette throughout the course of their lives about how they're doing during this time.

In the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19, we’ve heard countless stories about the brave medical professionals who are working on the frontlines of this crisis. Of course, it takes many individuals working in close concert with one another to make a hospital run, and it’s impossible to do any type of medical work that’s safe in an environment that isn’t sterile. In a time where handwashing and keeping things clean is very much top of mind, we thought it’d be good to consult the experts in such matters; the individuals who are keeping Gillette’s patients, families and staff members safe by keeping things clean.

During this time of isolation, everyone is looking for ways to stay in touch with the people and causes they care about. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be exploring new ways to connect with one another while also staying safe. Learn five easy ways you can support Gillette and create community together, from a distance.

Many of us will be spending more time at home during the outbreak of COVID-19 (the disease caused by coronavirus), and for those with young children, you may have to get a bit creative to keep them entertained during this time. To try to help, we sat down with the Child and Family Services Team at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare to get some tips on ways you can practice proper social distancing, stay home and safe without going completely stir-crazy in the coming weeks.

You’ve likely been hearing quite a bit about COVID-19—or coronavirus—in the news lately. Our medical staff at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare wants to help our patients and families better understand COVID-19 and how to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the illness.

For 123 years the doctors, nurses and employees at Gillette have worked every day to provide the very best care for all children. This dedication has led to treatments and outcomes that have influenced cerebral palsy care worldwide. 

“It’s just so wonderful to watch these children get better. It’s also very rewarding to see the connection that forms between the children and my dogs. They become friends.”

If you are a child who has a disability or complex medical condition, you may think the thrill of downhill skiing isn’t possible. “Not so!” say patients at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare.

"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 several major surgeries aimed at reducing Sophia's spasticity.

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.

Parents traveling with family members who have a disability or special need are often dealing with extra issues and concerns. During the holidays airports are crowded, security lines long and traffic is snarled. Preparation and knowledge are the keys to decreasing stress and getting rid of your bah humbug.

Nicole Leinonen says she’ll never forget the phone call that she says changed her life. “Every time I think of that phone call from Gillette telling me that I qualified for some financial assistance I get emotional. I’m amazed at how generous people are,” Nicole says. “The Gillette Assistance Program (GAP) means I can focus on Ella and her needs. I don’t have to be so stressed worrying about how, as a single parent, I can pay for her care.”

Learn about how Jennifer and her son Nick, a Gillette patient who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, came up with an idea for a part-time business making dog treats and turned it into a reality that they hope will provide employment opportunities to other young adults who have disabilities.

Seven-year-old Maria Renata Sanchez Diaz traveled 1,600 miles from her home in Mexico City to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare as part of her plan to keep a promise to her dad.

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.

Back pain is more common in children than one might expect. In fact, by age 15, 30-50 percent of all children have had at least one episode of back pain! At Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, our team of internationally-recognized orthopedic experts work closely with many pediatric patients each year, helping them identify and treat their unexplained back pain.

The hospital can be a scary place for anyone, especially a child, and no matter how nice the staff is or how thoughtfully the clinical spaces are designed, it’s usually difficult for a patient to forget they’re in one. At Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, that’s no longer the case.

Being the caregiver for a patient or family member who has special needs can be very demanding. Preventing, as well as managing the effects of stress is something many healthcare providers are focusing on for their patients and for themselves.

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 lead more independent lives.

Wes Jackson is a thoughtful, kind and inquisitive kid. He also has cerebral palsy, but he won't let that (or anything else for that matter) get in his way. Get to know Wes and his family, you'll be glad you did.

Rolling over, crawling. The first words, the first steps, the first bike ride. These actions seem small individually, but many serve as formative moments that represent individual progress. They’re the signs that we’re moving forward and the experiences we remember. However, for many of the patients and families at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, these milestones are often delayed—if they happen at all.

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare has the largest collection of pediatric orthopedic surgeons in the Midwest and recently welcomed Aaron Huser, DO. Huser specializes in the care of limb deformities and deficiencies and is currently accepting patients.

The day was Christmas Eve, the year was 2003 and the Ketelhohns were resting and watching a movie in their home near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was an idyllic evening, but their youngest daughter, 8-month-old, Kate, had a slight fever. It was the type of malady that many children experience throughout their development. There was no reason to worry, until there was.

Cassidy and her mom, Darcy, are two of the biggest fans of the University of Minnesota women's volleyball team. They're excited about the NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament at Target Center in Minneapolis. While they're disappointed the Gophers will not appear in the NCAA tournament, they're proud of what the team accomplished this season. Cassidy has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and her limited use of her arms and legs means is can be difficult to stand and cheer for her team--until Gillette helped make her dream come true.

The human body is a miraculous makeup of coordinated and interconnected systems that, when operating properly, are a wonder to behold. But when things aren’t operating correctly, this interconnectedness can cause a whole host of complications. This issue is precisely why Gillette’s Aerodigestive Clinic was established last year.

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare appreciates the support retiring Minnesota Twins first baseman, Joe Mauer and his wife, Maddie, have given us. To Gillette the Mauers are more than hometown heroes—they're family.

Hope is many things, including an animal-lover, a peacemaker and a big sister. She's also a longtime Gillette patient, where she receives treatment for multiple pterygium syndrome, a condition she shares with her dad.

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.

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.

The majority of Minnesota’s state parks have key park amenities that remain inaccessible or only partially accessible to people who have disabilities. See how Gillette is working to change that by supporting proposed legislation that would fund important updates.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare provides support and resources to help kids achieve their athletic goals. Our therapeutic recreation specialists take pride in helping kids improve their strength and flexibility while having the fun experience of playing sports.

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.”

“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.”

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.

Becky Hamilton can’t help but get a bit emotional as she prepares to hang up her scrubs after 40 years as a Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare nurse. She’ll freely tell you that when you devote so much of your life to an organization, your colleagues become like family. This goes for your patients as well.

Rebecca Pierce, the mother of a Gillette patient, speaks out about the importance of protecting Medicaid for children 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.

Tall, red-haired and boisterous, it’s not a surprise to learn that Connor plays on the football team back in North Dakota, or that he’s pretty popular.

Pain affects all aspects of life, but for many of us, it’s an abstract concept. But, for a moment, imagine what it would feel like to experience chronic pain for an entire month. Start with that, but now expand it out to a year—or maybe even, every day of your life.

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.

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.

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

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.

To celebrate National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, Gillette is relaunching an updated version of its ability-themed emoji keyboard called Emojability.

If you want to know how a former guard to the British Royal Family wound up racing his sailboat to help Minnesota children who have disabilities, follow along below.

Meet Katie Wilkins, a Gillette physical therapist who is passionate about helping kids who have juvenile arthritis. Learn why she's being honored at the 2017 Walk to Cure Juvenile Arthritis.

Take a recently filmed Facebook LIVE virtual tour of our new valet entrance, check-in desk, guest services, waiting areas and more.

Mason and his father Rich saw nearly 500 rock bands live in concert last year. They refused to let Mason's cerebral palsy get in the way of reaching their goal.

There are few things in life as overwhelming as learning your child has a disability. Accepting this and moving forward is a different process for every parent. We spoke with Gillette neuropsychologist Richard DiPrima, PsyD, and below he offers advice to help families navigate this emotional time.

Krista Horning, a Gillette employee for nine years, hopes she's an inspiration to the patients she helps. That's because she's been a patient at Gillette since childhood. Meet Krista and learn why she loves working at Gillette.

When Alexandra's mom started getting questions from other parents about Alexandra's condition, mother and daughter decided to help shift others' perceptions about disabilities. Learn how.

Avery, a sixth grader who has cerebral palsy, recently had the opportunity to showcase some of her favorite back-to-school fashions to thousands when she modeled for the Mall of America's 2016 Back to School Look Book. Learn how the experience helped build Avery's confidence and how care at Gillette has helped her thrive.