Kennedy is a joyful little girl who has faced unbelievable challenges.
Not long after she was born, Kennedy stopped feeding and her oxygen levels dropped lower and lower. Doctors at other hospitals couldn’t determine what was wrong and offered little hope. After six weeks with no answers, her parents, Dan and Nikki, knew they had to act.
“We’re 90 minutes from the best children’s hospital in the world,” Dan and Nikki said to each other. “Why don’t we give Kennedy the best shot at care?”
At Boston Children’s, everything changed. The family was met with optimism and an expert care team. Kennedy needed open-heart surgery, and it was a success. But there were more hurdles ahead.
Tests revealed that Kennedy had a rare condition that comes with several challenges. One of them was that her windpipe was weak and prone to collapse, making it hard to breathe. Kennedy needed a breathing tube to keep her airway stable. The procedure to insert the tube into her neck was a scary prospect, but Dan and Nikki knew everyone at Boston Children’s had Kennedy’s best interests at heart.
I don’t know if Kennedy would be here if it wasn’t for the people at Boston Children’s.
Dan, Kennedy's dad
'Everyone just went above and beyond'
While Kennedy grew stronger, her family was buoyed by the kindness of everyone at the hospital.
When Kennedy’s young cousins visited, a child life specialist prepared them for what to expect and engaged them with an art project. Another day, Nikki and Dan reluctantly left to attend a family wedding and the nurses FaceTimed them with a sweet surprise—Kennedy in her flower girl dress, so she could be part of the big day.
“Everyone just went above and beyond to keep us going and make us feel like family,” says Nikki.
A happy homecoming
After five months at Boston Children’s, Kennedy could finally go home. Her care team helped Dan and Nikki make a smooth transition. They learned that an 18-mile move across state lines would allow them better access to health insurance, so Kennedy could be cared for at home. That small move has made a huge difference in the family’s life.
Today, Kennedy is “the smiliest, happiest kid in the world,” Nikki says. She is a proud big sister who loves music and seeing her friends at school. The family was thrilled to visit Disney World together—something they never dreamed would be possible during those scary first weeks of Kennedy’s life.
“We’re just so grateful,” says Dan. “I don’t know if she would be here if it wasn’t for the people at Boston Children’s.”
