The Hendricksen family travels from Wisconsin to Gillette Children's so Annika can receive care for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) from pediatric neurologist, Randal Richardson, MD. Richardson is a leader in SMA research and provides treatment and hope to Annika's family.

Gillette Children’s is leading the way for new treatments, medications, and therapies to help improve the lives of children diagnosed with rare diseases. “Rare diseases are actually common at Gillette and we’re exploring exciting new treatments and therapies to really revolutionize rare disease care,” says Gillette complex care pediatrician, Arthur Beisang, MD.

Gillette Children’s has an advocacy team whose mission is to make sure children, especially children with disabilities, are not overlooked as state and national lawmakers create the legislation that shapes our lives.  

Gillette Children’s conducts clinical research every day to answer some of the most important questions for patients and families. We focus on improving treatments and making life better for children with medical conditions or disabilities.

For children with epilepsy, corpus callosotomy surgery is a way to reduce or eliminate seizures. This type of brain surgery for epilepsy can be incredibly beneficial; however, like all surgeries, there are some risks involved.

Gillette Children's pediatric neurologist, Charbel El Kosseifi, MD, says a photo of a young girl inspired him and changed his life. "I even dreamed of that photo," El Kosseifi shares. This new member of the neurology team is helping children care for their muscles, nerves and bones.

Gillette Children's is known worldwide for its expertise in caring for children diagnosed with rare diseases. Several Gillette providers are participating in an event at the University of Minnesota to talk about the successes and challenges in caring for rare disease disorders. Linda Krach, MD, is a Gillette rehabilitation medicine physician and a keynote speaker at the U of M event. Krach recently won a prestigious award for her work and is part of a team helping patients who have spina bifida and other rare diseases.

Learn how to have conversations with family and friends about your child's recent cerebral palsy diagnosis and how they can help.

There are a lot of good questions out there about cerebral palsy but there are also misconceptions. Check out the common CP myths that need busting.

"Anyone who has spent as much time in doctor’s offices or waiting rooms as we have knows how frustrating it can be to start from square one when discussing your child’s medical condition. When you’re at Gillette, you never need to do that. I can’t even begin to tell you how much that means.” -Trisha Irvin

A diagnosis of epilepsy can be a confusing time for a family and child. November is Epilepsy Awareness Month and Gillette Children's wants to remind families we're a source for expert diagnosis, treatment and support of people who have epilepsy.

Gillette has one of the nation’s only sleep medicine programs specifically designed for people who have disabilities or other complex health conditions. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) reports the Gillette Sleep Health Clinic is one of the most well-run sleep labs its surveyor has ever reviewed. The AASM recently awarded Gillette a five-year re-accreditation.

Gillette Children’s is one of 15 institutions across the U.S. being honored with International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF)’s Center of Excellence designation or redesignation

When I was 2 years old, I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Now, I'm 23. I've faced many challenges in my life, but I think my dad said it best, "Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life's hard." You can't get too caught up trying to project what the end result might be, all you can do is try to deal with the challenge in front of you, and move forward.

Figuring out if your child has a rare disease is a concerning and challenging puzzle for parents.Two members of the Gillette team, pediatric neurologists Randal Richardson, MD, and Jamie Eskuri, MD, say finding answers and guiding families through a rare disease diagnosis and care plan is one of the most rewarding parts of their jobs.

On January 5, Amer and his son Ismail, 4, were out sledding on the hill just minutes from their home in St. Louis Park. It was a small hill, but there were a few trees at the bottom. On Ismail's final run of the day, what began as a fun outing turned into any parent's nightmare.

January is National Winter Sports Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month. Prevention and precaution are the keys to staying safe and minimizing injuries. If your child does become injured the team at Gillette Children's has a higher level of training to deal with pediatric TBIs.

A new pediatric neurologist at Gillette Children's discovered a passion for her field while eating a slice of pizza. Jamie Eskuri, MD, is excited to begin working with Gillette families and to be back in the state she considers home.

The U.S. Food Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) recent approval of a new oral medication to help treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is being hailed as a “game changer” by Gillette Children's neurologist, Randal Richardson, MD, MMS. “The main message I want to get out to people who have SMA and their families is—many of you now have options and the power to make a choice for yourself,” Richardson says.

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 is ready to be an important center for AFM care and rehabilitation when the outbreak is set to peak this fall.

Many families and providers are taking advantage of the newly expanded virtual care appointment options at Gillette Children’s. During the “stay at home” orders due to COVID-19, Gillette continues to focus on ensuring families are safe and have access to our expert medical care.Pediatric neurologist, Randal Richardson, MD, is seeing patients via virtual care, when clinically appropriate, and he's excited about how technology makes it more convenient for his patients.

“It’s not an exaggeration to say deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery at Gillette changed Sam’s life,” marvels his mother Coleen Wedig. Sam Wedig, 16 and his mother first traveled to Gillette Children’s from Des Moines, Iowa in 2015 seeking help for cerebral palsy and dystonia. They’re passionate about sharing their story in the hope they can help other families dealing with similar medical challenges.

After enduring a ruptured aneurysm, doctors told Trevor's parents were told he'd never walk again. After a six-week rehabilitation stay at Gillette Children's, Trevor strode out of the hospital doors - walking independently.

See how vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) surgery and Gillette neurologists are helping Wyatt, a child who has epilepsy, finally control his seizures.

This is not what Earl Weir planned for his junior year in high school. The 17-year-old from Howard Lake, Minnesota was a busy teenager—involved in his school’s broadcast club, spending time hunting and fishing with his dad and listening to music with his mom. Earl is an example of how life can change in an instant.