Celebrating 25 Years of the MUSC Children’s Hospital

I’m dedicating this week’s blog to the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital. The hospital celebrated its 25^th birthday last week. I am grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff who took care of me after my spinal cord was injured in a car accident at nine months old.

Once I turned 14 years old, I had a spinal fusion surgery. Dr. Richard Gross and the orthopedic surgery team placed metal rods along my spinal cord to correct the scoliosis and curvature of my back.  However, my body didn’t adjust to the rods as well as doctors hoped.

I underwent several revisions of the hardware, which required numerous and lengthy hospitalizations. Despite the additional surgeries, the rods were removed several months later so they wouldn’t continue to cause complications.

Even though I didn’t have the rods for very long, my spine was straightened slightly. The surgery has given me better posture and allows me to sit comfortably in my wheelchair.

In addition to being a patient, I volunteered in the Children’s Hospital when I was younger. I enjoyed talking with the patients and playing games with them as they were healing.

My mom is a pediatrician at MUSC and takes care of patients with sickle cell disease. I want to give a big thanks to all the wonderful employees of the MUSC Children’s Hospital. Enjoy this video celebrating the 25 years of the hospital!