Patients Impacted by the Ballad Health Foundation
The Ballad Health Foundation strives to improve the quality of care for children in the Appalachian Highlands. A child's needs are different from an adult's, and our pediatric facilities and Child Life Specialists help normalize hospital visits and stays to make kids feel more comfortable. Things as simple as playing UNO at the bedside can help remove the negative feelings of being away from home and in a hospital bed.
Our Foundation also invests in technology to make procedures less scary, as well as communicate next steps in the child's care on their level. Cinemavision transforms the claustrophobia of an hourlong MRI into a comfortable, familiar experience by allowing kids to watch a movie during the procedure. Our Medkin dolls help Child Life Specialists walk through procedures with parents and children by making complex medical concepts easy to process visually.
Take a look at some of the stories of children and parents who have benefited from the Ballad Health Foundation and its donors.
Real kids, real stories
Icess, age 9
Icess had her first seizure when she was only 10 months old. By age 2, she was having at least one seizure a month. After years of treatment, her family sought help from Niswonger Children’s Hospital, where they got answers and treatment that have given Icess hope for the future.
Jaxon, age 8
When Jaxon was 4, he had a serious bout with double pneumonia and was treated at Niswonger Children’s Hospital. He never forgot the care he received and wanted to inspire hope in other sick children the way the nurses did for him by asking his teachers to support the Niswonger Children’s Hospital Radiothon.