We always have plenty of stories to tell at Akron Children’s, and this year was no exception. Our amazing patients, families and providers made the news a lot in 2023. Here are our media team’s top stories of the year.
‘I walk away in tears’ – Akron Children’s photographer Ted Stevens brings light to bereaved families
Ted Stevens is known as “the Mayor of Akron Children’s.” He has his thumb on the pulse of the hospital and seems to know everyone from patients to doctors and nurses and other staff. Ted often blends into the background taking pictures of medical procedures, patients trying their best in rehab or a visit with a member of the Doggie Brigade or Willie Nelson, the therapy pony. But he also captures the touching and heart-wrenching moments of grieving families, providing bereavement photographs for families in and outside the hospital. Read more about Ted and his work in this piece from Cleveland.com.
‘You can do anything’: Doctors said she wouldn’t live a day. Now this UA grad is a lawyer
Megan Parker has rare form of muscular dystrophy, severe scoliosis and respiratory failure. When she was born, doctors told Megan’s family they didn’t think she’d survive the night. Now 24 and thriving, Megan can add passing the bar exam to her list of accomplishments. In addition to her hard work, Megan attributes her success to support from her family, her professors and her doctors at Akron Children’s. Read more about Megan’s journey in this story from the Akron Beacon Journal.
A former MLB player who once struggled with Tourette syndrome finds peace helping others
Liam Clegg, 9, of Hudson, a graduate of Akron Children’s CBIT program and a huge sports fun, got to meet Jim Eisenreich at TIC Night Out at the Cleveland Guardians game.
Around 1 in 50 children have a persistent tic disorder (including Tourette’s syndrome), according to the CDC. These disorders affect the nervous system, causing patients to have sudden, uncontrollable tics. Tics can be motor, vocal or both. People with tics and Tourette’s syndrome often feel anxiety and out of place among their peers who don’t experience tics.
