Maddie, a high school student, says she’s an extrovert. “First of all, I love theater,” she says. “I love developing characters and experiencing things unlike real life ― like playing a villain or casting magic spells.” She says it can be stressful to be onstage. But when the audience and other cast members respond, she feels a sense of purpose, security and togetherness.
Care providers at Children’s National Hospital Rare Disease Institute gave Maddie a similar feeling. She’s been in and out of the hospital her whole life, with conditions from severe reflux to fructose intolerance to sleep apnea. As a younger child she experienced balance issues and difficulty regulating her temperature, swallowing and chewing.
“My family moved to the D.C. area when I was 5,” Maddie says. “Going to the hospital used to scare me, but not after starting at Children’s National. The doctors talked directly to me. They wanted to know about me and what I wanted to do in life, not just about what was wrong with me.”
Doctors explained what they knew and what they didn’t. The details of her disease often were confusing and frightening. She could express her worries. “That gave me a kind of normalcy, which helped me stay calm,” she says. “Also, I knew my team would always try to help.”
Maddie saw a wide variety of pediatric specialists. Over the years, she weakened and relied heavily on medical supports, such as a wheelchair and an IV pump for fluids and nutrition. Doctors diagnosed her with an undefined mitochondrial disorder. Then, she began seeing Dr. Kim Chapman, a medical geneticist. Maddie and other members of her family also participated in a research study that would help physician scientists uncover clues through their DNA. Doctors customized Maddie’s treatment and in high school, this led to big improvements. She has more energy and no longer needs her wheelchair.
The young actress soon had three major roles in a high-energy school play. “It was insanely fun,” she says. “People at Children’s National, from the lady at registration to Dr. Chapman and everyone in between have always inspired me to live the best life I can. I hope I have a long life. Children’s National gives me hope that I might.”
Care providers at Children’s National Hospital Rare Disease Institute gave Maddie a similar feeling. She’s been in and out of the hospital her whole life, with conditions from severe reflux to fructose intolerance to sleep apnea. As a younger child she experienced balance issues and difficulty regulating her temperature, swallowing and chewing.
“My family moved to the D.C. area when I was 5,” Maddie says. “Going to the hospital used to scare me, but not after starting at Children’s National. The doctors talked directly to me. They wanted to know about me and what I wanted to do in life, not just about what was wrong with me.”
Doctors explained what they knew and what they didn’t. The details of her disease often were confusing and frightening. She could express her worries. “That gave me a kind of normalcy, which helped me stay calm,” she says. “Also, I knew my team would always try to help.”
Maddie saw a wide variety of pediatric specialists. Over the years, she weakened and relied heavily on medical supports, such as a wheelchair and an IV pump for fluids and nutrition. Doctors diagnosed her with an undefined mitochondrial disorder. Then, she began seeing Dr. Kim Chapman, a medical geneticist. Maddie and other members of her family also participated in a research study that would help physician scientists uncover clues through their DNA. Doctors customized Maddie’s treatment and in high school, this led to big improvements. She has more energy and no longer needs her wheelchair.
The young actress soon had three major roles in a high-energy school play. “It was insanely fun,” she says. “People at Children’s National, from the lady at registration to Dr. Chapman and everyone in between have always inspired me to live the best life I can. I hope I have a long life. Children’s National gives me hope that I might.”
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Erica!
Make a Difference Test
Your charitable donation changes children’s lives. Support exceptional health care and discoveries that offer hope, healing and brighter futures.
Patient Stories
At Children’s National Hospital, we provide compassionate, professional care to thousands of patients every year. Discover our patients' stories to understand their journey and see how it may relate to your own.