Maya's Story

Maya was adopted by her mom, Holly when she was 2 years old. Maya seemed healthy and happy at first, but soon she was suffering from terrible seizures, infections and other undiagnosed medical issues. A single mother, Holly found herself doing research and making calls, desperately trying to get her daughter the care she needed while simultaneously learning to administer medications, IV fluids and feeding tubes.

After many specialist at different hospitals, Maya kept getting sicker. At 7 years old she fell terribly ill. Fortunately, Holly found Dr. John Gordon at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and the Special Needs Program. The program is designed specially to make sure patients like Maya --(children with serious, ongoing medical issues who see many specialist and need help coordinating treatment) -- get the best care. Dr. Gordon took over Maya's care, identified specialists who could help her and arranged the necessary appointments. As part of the Special Needs Program, they also have a nurse coordinator who assists with managing Maya's treatment plan as well as attending appointments with them.

Today Maya is 14 years old and still requires constant care. But thanks to the Special Needs Program, everything is more manageable. One year before Holly found CHW, Maya spent 200 days in the hospital. Now she spends far less time in the hospital and also can travel often to visit family. The staff at Children's Hospital have made all this possible, right down to filling out the paperwork and ensuring they have the medical supplies Maya needs.

Recently, Maya and Holly moved to the area to be closer to CHW. Children's Hospital has given Maya an incredible gift, "the ability to experience life". Without CHW and the Special Needs Program, Holly is not even sure that Maya would even be here. She is sure, however, that her health situation would have overwhelmed her greatly without them.

More families depend on Children's Hospital of Wisconsin every day. Like many programs the Special Needs Program is an indispensable resource for families in the region. 

Please donate to the Just A Little Faith Foundation with all proceeds benefiting the Special Needs Program!