Owen Twigg was born fighting. His strength and a mother’s devotion would inspire Courtney Twigg to pursue a new path in life and in a career. Owen was born March 7, 2020, with a cleft lip and palate. At the time, his mom, Courtney, had been working as an emergency medical services dispatcher for 10…
When your child is struggling with a stuffy nose, cough or congestion during cold and flu season, you want to find good strategies for child congestion relief. “It is easy for a parent to get overwhelmed standing in the cough/cold aisle in the drugstore, looking at all those medications and trying to decide which to…
School-age children can face a variety of new challenges regularly, from playground disagreements to social and academic pressures. These experiences may be frustrating for them, but they’re also important opportunities to help build a lifelong skill: emotional resilience. “Think of emotional resilience like every child’s inner toolkit,” said Heather M. Felton, M.D., pediatrician with Norton…
Does my child have strep throat? A scratchy throat doesn’t always mean strep. There are many reasons kids experience throat discomfort, including the flu, COVID-19, seasonal allergies or the common cold. “Assuming you know what the cause of the sore throat is can delay treatment and cause unnecessary worry,” said Patrick K. Hynes, M.D., pediatrician…
After 622 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at Norton Children’s Hospital, Kingston Bryant finally got to go home. It was a moment his family had been dreaming of for nearly two years. Born at just 25 weeks of gestation, weighing less than a pound, Kingston entered the world fighting for his life. From…
Your child has flu symptoms: a dry cough, runny nose and a sore throat. The pediatrician does a flu test, but it’s negative. What do you do when someone has flu symptoms but a negative flu test? “It’s hard watching our kids not feel good,” said Patrick K. Hynes, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical…
When most parents hear “RSV,” they usually think of sick infants and babies. While respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is most serious for infants (children ages 12 months and under), many families are surprised to learn that RSV in children — including toddlers and preschoolers — sometimes can cause more severe symptoms than expected. “Parents often…
If your child is diagnosed with sickle cell disease, they may require additional support at school. Symptoms of sickle cell disease can cause fatigue, pain episodes and frequent classroom absences. That’s why it’s important to notify the school of your child’s diagnosis: to advocate for their health, safety, academic progress, and support in their school…
BECOME A HERO FOR KIDS. Sign up to give monthly. Before his sweet arrival, Leeland’s parents knew he would be a warrior. He was diagnosed with two life-threatening conditions during pregnancy, and the family knew he would require months of critical care in the Norton Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Leeland spent nine months…
Many parents fear the worst when they hear “sickle cell,” wondering whether their child will face lifelong health concerns. However, understanding the difference between sickle cell trait versus sickle cell disease is an important distinction when it comes to managing your child’s health. “Parents should know that sickle cell trait is not the same thing…
My baby sister, Avery, was only 3 when she was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I was a senior in high school, enjoying football games and hanging out with friends. I had no idea everything would change in a single weekend. Earlier that week, Avery had fallen out of bed and ended up with…
Everyone in Louisville knows there’s nothing quite like Kentucky Derby day. Whether you’re at Churchill Downs or celebrating at home with family and friends, the sights are often similar: big hats, fun suits and cheering for your favorite horse. But for the Furlong family, Derby Day 2024 will always be memorable — and not for…