Meet Lauri E., Parent Mentor at Akron Children's
Lauri's Story
Tyler was a 27-week preemie born with multiple disabilities. Some showed up right away, such as patent ductus arteriosis (PDA), cerebral palsy, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and cortical blindness. Others gradually started to appear within the first 3 years of birth until now. When Tyler was born, the doctors did not give us much hope for survival. Tyler lived in the NICU for 5 months with a new challenge every day. He was sent home on oxygen, 19 medications and many machines. Over time, the doctors were able to remove some of the equipment, but accumulated new ones along the way.
Tyler is now in his teens and has more than 16 specialists. He receives palliative care and home nursing support. He is very happy and will be graduating from high school soon. He has a nurse and an assistant with him at all times at school and is very much loved by all the teachers and other students. He has carried a 3.5 or above grade point average and is always on the merit or honor roll at school.
Lauri is a parent mentor for these conditions: Adrenal Disorders, Amputation, Asthma, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Cerebral Palsy, Collapsed lung, Constipation, Cortical blindness, Ear Infection, Hypoglycemia, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Infection, Intestinal Obstruction, Pancreatitis, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Pressure ulcers, Raynaud's disease, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Scoliosis, Seizures.
Lauri is a mentor for these care services: Asthma, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Ear Nose Throat (ENT), Endocrine, Eye, Gastroenterology, Hematology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Neurology, Orthopedics
