Patient Spotlight: Meet Hernando
Pediatric Home Service has always lived by the mission of ‘taking care of the child.’ We have made it our goal to always provide the best care for our patients and their families, every single day. In our Patient Spotlight segment you’ll read stories and see pictures of some very special kiddos and their families. PHS kids truly do thrive and we’re excited to be able to share their stories.
“He is my Little Champion”
When Hernando was born and diagnosed with anoxic encephalopathy and Cerebral palsy, doctors didn’t believe he’d live more than eight months. But now, at 5 years old, Hernando is a smiling, water-loving boy thriving at home. “He is a really strong little boy – he’s my little champion,” says his mom Luz.
After spending the first four months of his life in the hospital, Luz decided to take him home and care for him there. “During the first two years, we were at the hospital more than we were at home,” she says. But since getting a trach and G-J tube placed, Hernando’s health has improved drastically. In the past year, he has only been in the hospital once when he came down with pneumonia.
At home, Hernando attends school two days a week and will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. He loves to go on walks in his manual wheelchair,playing in the water and listening to music. “At home, he just does better. He’s a much happier, comfortable boy,” says Luz, “I can bring him out to socialize with others, and he can attend school and just enjoys his time.”
With summer here, we’re sure Hernando will be able to get out on plenty of walks and take Kindergarten on with gusto in the fall. And we are so excited to be there with him and his family on the journey.
Originally published: June 7, 2013