Katie Jacobsen will long remember her 41st birthday. The Barberton mom, her husband and eight children had just celebrated with a take-out dinner from Cracker Barrel when 3-year-old Maggie said she had swallowed something shiny. Katie looked around to see what Maggie could be referring to and saw Elsa and Anna dolls that “sing” thanks […]
Preparing for back to school success and transitioning to middle school
Returning to school each fall is a time of both excitement and nervousness for parents and students. For parents who have a child with special needs, this time of year can bring increased anxiety and stress. We worry about all the same things most parents worry about, like how will my child do in school? […]
Breastfeeding for 3 is a journey
When Elizabeth Hayne saw her triplets, she was in love and also acutely aware of the development her babies still needed in the NICU at Akron Children’s. Born at nearly 32 weeks old, the babies relied on support from family and medical staff, as well as nourishment from mom. “I never thought about not breastfeeding them because […]
Post-scoliosis surgery, Salem teen ‘courts’ return to the sport she loves
Following a routine tonsillectomy at age 13, Sadie Dennison wasn’t quite herself and her observant mom took notice. “I had some complications that made me lose my appetite,” said Sadie. “I got really bony, and as a result my mom noticed that my shoulders looked crooked.” Sadie’s mom, Michelle, who used to work with […]
Karson celebrates 100th infusion with disco party
As 5-year-old Karson Ross arrived for his infusion, he had no idea the staff behind the doors in his sedation room was about to spring a party on him. There were disco lights, cool light-up gloves and eyeglasses for Karson, and even a bit of dancing – all to mark the 100th infusion Karson would […]
Jersey contest hits home for hematology patient
Brooke Barkan (13) from Canal Fulton will be beaming with pride on Aug. 12 as the RubberDucks baseball team takes to the field in a jersey she designed as part of the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders’ annual patient celebration event. The RubberDucks selection team chose her design out of 42 entries, double […]