Then and Now Patient Profiles
Jessie Galli
Jessie Galli has one distinct memory of her days at Children’s Specialized Hospital in 1991, “The nurses on my floor named me “Wendy Whiner” because I didn’t like to sleep on my stomach,” she said. “They just never let me get away with my complaints!”
But there are other memories as well. Jessie was just 7-years-old when she was involved in a car accident that would change her life forever. The accident left Jessie paralyzed at T11 (slightly below the waist, on down). She spent three weeks at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital and was then moved to Children’s Specialized for four months of grueling rehabilitation. Jessie vividly remembers spending her December birthday and a very atypical holiday season at Children Specialized. Like many kids her age, she recalls being more upset about all the “hard work” associated with rehabilitation, than the injury itself.
Now, almost 16 years later, Jessie is a talented and ambitious 23-year-old woman. Currently doing graduate work at the University of Illinois, Jessie is studying Community Health with a concentration in Health Policy & Administration. She recently graduated (May 2006) from U of I with a B.S. in Kinesiology. An accomplished athlete, Jessie spends most of her “leisure time” working out. She is a member of the University’s Wheelchair Track and Road Racing Team, as well as, the U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team.
Surrounded by a loving family, Jessie’s story would touch the lives of many. “Children’s Specialized offered my family and I the critical assistance we needed at a rough time in our lives,” mentioned Jessie. “The nurses and therapists not only helped to make me strong and independent, they were exemplary role models. I could have easily left the hospital feeling upset and sad, but to my own surprise, I left with hope and enthusiasm for the future.”
The most defining moment for Jessie would come after she was released from Children’s Specialized. It was then that Andy Chasanoff, a hospital therapist and Head Coach of the CSH Lightning Wheels Wheel Chair Racing Team, decided to pay a visit to the Galli household. Chasanoff was on a mission to convince an extremely resistant Jessie to agree to simply “try it,” and attend a Lightning Wheels practice session. While in route, Chasanoff received a speeding ticket, but according to Jessie, “the ticket was well worth it!” “I remain extremely grateful because ever since that day I have been involved with wheelchair racing and it remains my true passion,” she said. “Without Andy going the extra step to push me, that likely would have never happened.”
Today Jessie looks forward to a career in healthcare, ideally working alongside individuals with disabilities. She hopes that one-day she will be able to positively affect individual lives in much the same way that the nurses and therapists at Children’s Specialized influenced her own life.
When Jessie is not studying or training, she enjoys spending time with friends, seeing movies and reading, or as she says...... “the usual down time activities.”
Galli a world-record whiz in wheelchair. Hillsborough native claimed 400-meter mark at European Championships in June. To Read the full article, click here.
Maggie Redden
Maggie was adopted from India and brought to the United States by Patricia Redden when she was only 2 ½ years old. Maggie had contracted polio as an infant and was unable to walk, or even straighten her legs. For Maggie, Children's Specialized Hospital offered hope and help, to live her best life possible.
Today, Maggie is a 21-year-old junior at Penn State University (University Park, Penn.), where she is majoring in communications. Using a wheelchair full time, Maggie acknowledges that she has faced many challenges in her life thus far. From being an orphan in India, to the only kid in a wheelchair in both grade school and high school, to having recently competed in the Miss New Jersey pageant, Maggie takes everything in stride, and doesn't let her disability stop her.
Maggie's mom, Patricia, a single parent and college chemistry professor, has undoubtedly been the guiding force in Maggie's life. Though tough at times, Maggie's mom taught her independence. Whether it was learning how to get back up after falling down, or getting involved in school and sports, Maggie's mom encouraged her to try everything. To date, Maggie has been fortunate to enjoy the experience of being a horseback rider, a harpist, a pianist, an actress in her high school musicals, a yearbook staffer, a student government rep and so much more.
Maggie was introduced to sports at a young age. Today, she enjoys participating in tennis, skiing and basketball, but track is her true love and passion. A long-time member of Children's Specialized Hospital's Lightning Wheels wheel chair racing team, Maggie started taking track seriously in high school. Since that time she has competed in Australia, at the Pan Am Junior Games, at the Paralympics Trials, and has hopes to compete at the 2008 Paralympics Games in Beijing.
Maggie has been asked countless times if dealing with a disability is hard. In reply, Maggie said, "To tell you the truth, I don't think about it and neither do my friends. I always like telling the story of how my friends once started down a flight of stairs, forgetting about my wheelchair altogether. Sure, people see the wheelchair initially, but once they start talking to me, I think they soon forget."
Maggie's outlook on life is enviable. "My disability has given me so many great opportunities like becoming a certified scuba diver and an Olympic torchbearer. I try to live life to the fullest, and often get embarrassed when people call me an "inspiration" or "amazing." While I'd like to think that these things are true, I see myself as a normal kid doing things I love. I just might do them a little differently from time to time," she said.
Maggie's future goals include the Paralympics and becoming a news anchor. Maggie remains inspired by a simple quote from George Bernard Shaw, "You see things as they are, and you say why? But I dream that they never were and I say why not?"
Duyen K. Pham
Duyen Pham was a happy 10-year-old playing in her backyard when she was suddenly overcome by a feeling of dizziness and became unable to walk. Initially, her symptoms led doctors to believe she had a severe case of the flu, or possibly a kidney infection. Instead, Duyen was directed to Children's Specialized Hospital for immediate treatment of ADEM (acute disseminating encephalomyelitis), a rare neurological condition that destroys the myelin covering of the brain.
Today, Duyen is an ambitious 23-year-old woman who recently completed her Pharmacy Internship at Children's Specialized Hospital, while enrolled in her sixth, and final year, of a vigorous program at Rutgers University to obtain a Doctorate in Pharmacy.
Duyen's story is every parent's nightmare. One day their little girl was healthy and full of life, and the next day her world was collapsing.
As a young girl and teenager, Duyen suffered two debilitating bouts of ADEM. The disease took everything from her - her ability to walk, write, dress and feed herself. Perhaps the most devastating loss for Duyen was facing the idea that her life-long dream of becoming a doctor was shattered. Upon hospitalization her parents were told that even if her condition were to improve, she would be lucky to graduate high school.
Struggling with basic tasks and skills that were second nature to everyone, including her 3-year-old brother, took a toll on Duyen's usual sunny personality. Understandably she was depressed and angry at the world. "Why Me," Duyen recalls asking herself.
Duyen spent three months at Children's Specialized in regular inpatient rehabilitation followed by extensive outpatient visits. Looking back she remembers horseback riding as the highlight of her physical therapy program at Children's Specialized. "Not only did they make therapy fun, the dedicated staff gained my complete trust and love, which was clearly evidenced by my steady progress and renewed hope," said Duyen.
Duyen's journey following her discharge was not without further obstacles. After being in good health for nearly ten years she was diagnosed in 2004 with multiple sclerosis. Family and friends questioned whether she would be able to complete her studies at Rutgers. "Deep down I knew that if I was able to overcome the adversities I faced a decade earlier, anything was possible," remarked Duyen.
Today Duyen cannot express how gratifying it was to come back to Children's Specialized as part of the health care team. "If I could meet every patient I would tell each one not to give up hope," said Duyen. She shares a strong message with patients, "I've been there, I understand." Duyen's wish is that the Children's Specialized experience will be as positive for other children and their families, as it continues to be for her.
When she is not working or studying, Duyen enjoys baking and taking her adored dog, a Pekinese Papillion, for a walk. Duyen is scheduled to graduate from Rutgers this coming spring.
