Kids Health Matters
Topic: Neurology and Neurosurgery

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.

As he ambles down a long hospital hallway, smiling with every step and practically daring you to do the same, it can be pretty easy to forget that this wasn't supposed to happen. Mateo Arcos was never supposed to walk.

Your brain isn't like your arm. You can’t see it or touch it. It’s not really tangible, which means that we rarely spend time thinking about the thing that makes us think, unless we have to. This is what those who experience a TBI go through.

“I’m always amazed at just how strong and brave they are,” says Laura of her sons Collin, 7, and Simon, 4. These sweet and exuberant brothers both received a diagnosis of hydrocephalus at age 1 and see Patrick Graupman, MD, for treatment.

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.

“Knowing that Gillette is a PPMD-certified Duchenne Care Center means the world to us because we know for certain Tyler’s getting the specialized care that he needs," says his mom, Marilyn. Meet Tyler and learn about his family's "game plan" to tackle Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

"If there is anything that I want people to understand, it’s that parents who have children who have disabilities want what any parent wants for their child."

Kiara and Keisy are twins who share a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy. Meet these sweet girls and learn how their parents, and Gillette, help them understand they're no different than other kids.

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.

Small, gregarious, brimming with boundless energy and a mischievous smile, 4-year-old Emmy Veenis is the type of kid people tend to remember. But Emmy started having headaches.

Gillette recently hosted a Facebook Live video Q&A featuring John Garcia, MD, sleep medicine specialist, about back-to-school sleep issues. Learn more and watch the discussion.

Colten's family thought he'd come down with the stomach flu. Then his illness became something much more severe. Learn how a Gillette pediatric neurologist and Colten’s rehabilitation team helped him reclaim his childhood.

Even eight years later, George Jamison clearly remembers the moment. He was with his older brother, Jack, at summer camp, having the type of fun that only 8 and 10-year-olds can. Then everything went black. When he awoke, a lot had changed.

A Gillette physician is cautioning those who are traveling to the Olympics in Rio to take extra care and precautions due to the Zika virus’ prevalence in the region.

The arrival of the Zika virus in the U.S. has raised awareness of the hidden risk of viruses, particularly those that cause problems for pregnant women and their babies. Zika, however, is only one of several viruses and conditions that can have an adverse outcome on a child in the womb.

A few simple tips, such as wearing a helmet and taking breaks, can help kids stay safe outside during the spring and summer months.