Each month, CDTC staff nominate one of our children as our Hero of the Month. Each of these special boys and girls are heroes in our eyes. They show strength, perseverance, determination and a positive outlook while facing great challenges.
Their stories are powerful and heartwarming and reflect the impact CDTC and you, our community, has on their daily lives.
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Our Heroes
Abner
Eight-year-old Abner has been coming to CDTC’s Pediatric Dental Clinic for the past four years. Like many children with autism, the first visit to this strange new place overwhelmed the shy little boy. It was also a scary place for his mom Cindy, who admits she and...
Rasaan
Twenty-year-old Rasaan is very goal oriented. It’s a trait that not only carries him through life, but through his healthcare as well. Rasaan was diagnosed with sickle cell as a baby. His family had been familiar with the disease since they carry the trait. However,...
Kendal
More than 15 years ago, Early Steps at CDTC had come through for Lisa and her daughter Samantha, who had sensory issues. So Lisa didn’t wait to call for help when her new baby, Kendal, wasn’t meeting milestones. Lisa knew Kendal needed help. The infant wasn’t pointing...
Willaiyah
Eight-year-old Willaiyah just joined the cheerleading squad. To see her dance and dash through the halls you would never believe at one time she had challenges walking. CDTC has always been a part of Willaiyah’s life. Mom Maudeline turned to CDTC for help right after...
Our Hero Imanie
It’s been quite a year for mom Stephanie and 1-year-old Imanie. According to mom, Imanie is her “crazy baby.” Stephanie never knows what to expect next, but it is a wonderful, joyous journey together. Stephanie learned about Imanie’s diagnosis with Down Syndrome while...
Hero Logan Learns to Communicate
Maria worried when her son Logan wasn’t babbling or making noises at 15 months. By 18 months, with no vocabulary, she was fearful. She was desperate to communicate with her toddler. Logan wasn’t pointing or gesturing for things. The only sound he made was “mama.” But...
Hero Bradley Finds Support in our Medical Home
Bradley’s mom describes his health as “very fragile” when he was born. Minerva had difficulties during her pregnancy. Bradley was born by emergency c-section at only 28 weeks. Arriving so early, his lungs had not fully developed. Doctors placed him on a tracheostomy...
Vriana is Our Hero in the Dental Chair
Nine-year-old Vriana has been coming to see Dr. Alonso in CDTC’s Dental Clinic for most of her life; six years to be exact. During Vriana’s first visits to the clinic mom would lift her little girl out of the wheel chair onto her own lap. Today, Vriana’s big enough to...
Parker Graduates with CDTC Honors
Nominated by Kristen Ely, Patient-Centered Medical Home & Quality Manager Parker arrived for his first appointment with Dr. Maria not long after he was born. He was very fragile coming out of the NICU. That was 21 years ago. Today, Parker has graduated from High...
Michael’s Heroic Family
Love. Acceptance. Dedication. Understanding. For Michael’s family, this gets them through their hard days. Michael, now 21, was born with Cerebral Palsy. He is quadriplegic, bound to his wheelchair or bed throughout the day. He also requires extensive medical care,...
J’lynn’s Heroic Habits
Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center’s (CDTC) Dental Clinic is an exciting place when J’lynn has an appointment. The loquacious eight-year-old looks forward to her visits. J’lynn first sat in the dental chair when she was two. Even at that young age, she was...
Giulia & Her Mom Make a Heroic Team
“Giulia’s mom is the perfect example of how Early Steps moms should be,” shares Riane Santa Cruz, one of the Center’s forty Early Steps Care Coordinators. The Early Steps program provides therapy in the home when possible because we see better results when a child’s...