Champions is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals program that brings attention to the important work being done at its 170 children’s hospitals. It does this by honoring 51 remarkable kids who have faced severe medical challenges, and helping them tell their stories.
The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2011 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.
The Champions travel for a week in October, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals sponsors, hospital representatives and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Dustin's Story
Dustin Strelsky
Age 13
Texas
Children’s Hospital at Scott & White
Spinal Cord Injury
Dustin’s life changed forever the moment he, along with his mother and sister, were in a car crash. All three sustained injuries but Dustin’s were the most serious. He was rushed to Children’s Hospital at Scott & White. Dustin would endure five separate surgeries to mend fractures in his face, a broken jaw, and several internal injuries. Because of severe trauma to his spinal cord, he also had two metal pins put in the back of his neck. Unfortunately, he would never regain the use of his lower body.
Dustin never put limits on his life before the accident, and he never did after either.
He had been planning to play football the next fall, and his parents and teachers were apprehensive about how he would feel returning to school with his new physical limitations. But they had nothing to worry about. Dustin was invited to be a part of the football team and has become an energetic part of every practice, game and pep rally. He’s also training to play tennis with a goal of making it to the Special Olympics.
Age 13
Texas
Children’s Hospital at Scott & White
Spinal Cord Injury
Dustin’s life changed forever the moment he, along with his mother and sister, were in a car crash. All three sustained injuries but Dustin’s were the most serious. He was rushed to Children’s Hospital at Scott & White. Dustin would endure five separate surgeries to mend fractures in his face, a broken jaw, and several internal injuries. Because of severe trauma to his spinal cord, he also had two metal pins put in the back of his neck. Unfortunately, he would never regain the use of his lower body.
Dustin never put limits on his life before the accident, and he never did after either.
He had been planning to play football the next fall, and his parents and teachers were apprehensive about how he would feel returning to school with his new physical limitations. But they had nothing to worry about. Dustin was invited to be a part of the football team and has become an energetic part of every practice, game and pep rally. He’s also training to play tennis with a goal of making it to the Special Olympics.
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