Grace's WISE project

Infant botulism is a dangerous spore borne illness. It works by blocking nerve function in the somatic nervous system. Which effectively makes it a paralytic, it begins with the feet and works up, trouble starts when the effects reach the digestive tract and the lungs. 

My mom realized something was wrong when I became weak, lethargic, and refused to eat. I was brought to the pediatrician multiple times, but they reassured my parents nothing was wrong, typical difficulties with newborns. Later in the week my mom woke up to me coughing and choking. I was rushed to Kingston hospital, and after their inability to treat me, I was transferred to Albany med. There I was intubated and on a breathing machine for two weeks, not knowing what was wrong. Thankfully, Dr. Grumenthol would be able to diagnose me with Infant botulism. After official diagnosis and proper treatment, I began improving, but due to the severity I remained in the hospital for weeks, receiving a tracheotomy because of complications and a resulting grade three subglottic stenosis.

During the month and a half, I was in the hospital my parents were completely out of work, facing medical bills, and housing in Albany. Thankfully the community at home and at Albany med fundraised and did all they could to support my parents. At home a number of my parents, friends, local businesses, and the staff at Vassar hospital raised around $12,000. Albany med, a partner hospital with Children's Miracle Network, reached out on my behalf, and they donated the $36,000 to pay for my medication, and the Ronald McDonald foundation covered living expenses in Albany for the time I was there. I have a great amount of gratitude for everyone who helped my parents and I, that's why this project is so special to me. I hope that you will consider joining me on my wise journey and giving back to Children's Miracle Network.