Emily McDonald, RN, is quiet, kind and wise beyond her years. A nurse for the last 10 years, Emily comes from a family with a strong background in education. Today, Emily is a natural with our younger pediatric patients.
Category:
Our People
“Holland” is a Great Place to Live
Mrs. Chris Schaffert and her vent-dependent husband, recently recalled an especially meaningful home visit with Anne O’Sullivan, RRT, RCP, our Home Nursing Transition Specialist. Chris remembers that day well. She was going through a very difficult time when Anne asked if she could share a poem entitled, “Welcome to Holland.”
Andrew Says Goodbye to His Ventilator (Part II)
In August 2013, we published a story about Andrew, 2, who was working with his physicians, nurses, and parents to breathe independently without a ventilator. Today, this happy, handsome toddler is completely weaned off the ventilator and working toward his ultimate goal: decannulation, which is the process of removing a tracheostomy tube.
A Hero Among Us
“He’s our hero.” This is the first thing JJ’s mom, Eleanor, says as we sit down to hear JJ’s story. During our conversation, I understand her sentiment completely. JJ truly is a hero among us. JJ suffered a complete spinal cord injury (SCI) in January 2007, resulting in a level C2 injury. This injury eventually improved to a level C3 injury. Today, JJ lives a full life at home surrounded by his friends, family, and trusted nurses. He enjoys riding to the beach, interacting with nature, and visiting with people.
Advocating for Sara: A Parent’s Perspective
Sara is a survivor. Sara, 9, is described by her parents, Rei and Daniel, as a girly girl and lover of all things Hello Kitty. Sara was born with Trisomy 16, a chromosomal abnormality. In 2012, she received a tracheostomy and was placed on a ventilator. Together, Sara and her family are supported by their friends, physicians, specialists, therapists, and nurses, who are all fighting to keep Sara healthy – and at home.
A Brighter Future for COPD Patient
Ms. Rochfella Bright, 52, enjoys being with her family, crocheting blankets, solving puzzles, and even fishing with Robert, her son, at a pond near their home. Life wasn’t always this good for Ms. Bright who suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, commonly referred to as COPD, until she was introduced to Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation (IPV) treatments at home.
The Importance of Today: Living with ALS
Mr. Alden Orput, 82, worked most of his career as the CEO of Orput Companies Inc., a third-generation family-owned real estate firm, founded in 1928. He is a savvy businessman, art collector, adventure seeker, family man, and for the past couple years, a man who is not defined by his disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Trissa Turns 10!
Trissa, 10, thrived for seven years with Independence Plus’s nursing care at home and was decannulated in 2010. Five months later, Trissa experienced complications and required another tracheotomy; Independence Plus’ nurses have been with her ever since. Today, Trissa lives with a permanent artificial airway (tracheostomy tube) and requires bilevel ventilation at night. She is progressing well, and her team has nothing but high hopes for her future.
Meet Mary: 21 Years of Service (and Counting!)
Mary Castranova has been working as a nurse at Independence Plus for the last 21 years. She continues to prove herself as a strong patient advocate and dependable nurse – and make a difference in our patients’ lives every day.
Turning Alex’s Football Dream into Reality
Last Friday, Alex, 15, was named Honorary Team Captain of St. Francis High School’s sophomore football team. This honor means a great deal to Alex and his family, particularly because Alex was severely injured the day before he was scheduled to play in his first high school football game last fall.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month: Alejandro’s Story
Alejandro, two and a half years old, has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and is ventilator dependent. Diagnosed with Type 1 SMA at a very young age, Alejandro lacks the ability to send signals from his brain to his muscles, which causes severe mobility impairment. Despite his limitations, Alejandro continues to make progress.
Transition Home: Creating a Family for Alexis
Recently adopted Alexis and her new sister have something in common: They were born with Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida, a birth defect, occurs when the bones of the spine, vertebrae, do not form properly around part of the spinal cord. The cause of this birth defect remains a mystery today.
Grow With Us
We’re expanding our services and offerings. We want you to be a part of the team that is delivering personalized, individual, people-focused skilled home healthcare to those in need. Come join us.