Center for Airway Disorders | Patient Stories
Unraveling the mystery of Rylan’s respiratory problems
With multiple open-heart surgeries and treatment for a laryngeal cleft, Rylan has been keeping his parents on their toes since he was born. Coordinated care with 10 Boston Children’s specialists helps him enjoy just being a kid.
Life-changing second opinion for laryngeal cleft helps Tyler thrive
Although Tyler was gaining weight and appeared healthy, he screamed and cried every time he ate. “I just knew something was off,” says his mom. Learn how a second opinion led to life-changing treatment for a laryngeal cleft.
Taking charge: Emma perseveres with laryngeal cleft
At just 11 years old, Emma has spent more than 400 nights at Boston Children’s as a result of her laryngeal cleft and other complex conditions. But she doesn’t let her health hold her back. “We don’t give her a pass and hate it when other people do,” says her mom.
Taking on the world: Lonnie Lu's experience with laryngeal cleft
When Patti and Ricardo first decided to foster 7-month-old Lonnie Lu, it was clear something was wrong. She had trouble eating and was throwing up several times a day. Her diagnosis, laryngeal cleft, led her to our Center for Airway Disorders and now this spunky 4-year-old loves to try new foods — even pesto!
An ocean away: Care for laryngeal cleft brings Clara to Boston
My husband, Duncan, and I were living in London, England, when Clara was born. Although my pregnancy had started out like any other, I later developed severe polyhydramnios, an accumulation of amniotic fluid that can sometimes indicate the presence of certain congenital issues.
Making progress: Eli is thriving after laryngeal cleft repair
Eli Bustard is pretty laid back for a 3-year-old — until he sees a picture of a dinosaur. “He’s obsessed,” laughs his mother, Nicole, who reports that Eli has been poring over a library book about these prehistoric beasts. Some of his other favorite pastimes: playing with trucks, caring for his Boston terrier and climbing up and down the musical stairs at Boston Children’s Hospital, which play a cheerful melody with every step.
Step by step: Sloane’s incredible journey with laryngeal cleft
Like most first graders, Sloane has a jam-packed schedule, filled with fun activities such as dancing, ice skating and playing tennis. But every now and then, this busy girl needs to take a break, even if that simply means taking her time to sip a glass of water. “I remind her that, sometimes, she needs to slow down,” says her mom, Tarra.
Trusting their instincts: Family finds help for laryngeal cleft
For some kids, the hospital can be a scary place, where even doctors with the best intentions poke, prod and serve up yucky-tasting medication. But for three-year-old Jack Steinberg, a visit to Boston Children’s Hospital is worth the trip from his home in Great Neck, New York. “No, it’s really fun,” Jack’s mother, Jessica, recently overheard him telling his older brother, Henry, who isn’t a fan of doctor visits. “They give you toys and stickers there!”
Hear me roar: A mother hunts down answers for her son
If it’s true that raising boys is not for the fainthearted, then Nicole Laws is truly lionhearted. A nurturer and a protector, beautiful and strong, this mother of four boys will hunt down the best solution to a problem … no matter what stands in her way.
Breathing easy: Samantha’s story
“You mean you can breathe all the way down there?” my daughter Samantha asked me after 11 years of breathing troubles. I can’t explain the panic and heartbreak I felt to hear these words. I also wondered what they could mean for her.
