Bridget’s remarkable triumph
Seventeen-year-old Bridget is an A-student in high school, works at a scrapbook store, trains service dogs, loves to water ski and is looking forward to college next year. Considering that she's had more than 20 surgeries at Children's Memorial Hospital and has been treated by caregivers in nearly as many medical specialties, her accomplishments are remarkable.
Bridget was born with a rare condition called cloacal exstrophy, in which several of her internal organs were exposed outside of her abdominal cavity. Additionally, she had spina bifida , resulting in a sac protruding from the opening in her spine containing the nerves and part of her spinal cord. Within a couple of hours after she was born, Bridget was transported to Children's Memorial Hospital, where kids with the most complicated medical conditions can get the most advanced care.
Pediatric surgeon Marleta Reynolds, MD, performed a procedure to re-implant her organs and close up her exposed abdomen, after which Bridget spent the first three months of her life in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Several days after going home she was readmitted for the first of several spinal surgeries performed by neurosurgeon David McLone, MD . Bridget has undergone a number of procedures at the hospital, including orthopedic surgery, kidney surgery and the removal of her gallbladder.
When she was born, Bridget's doctors weren't sure if she'd be able to walk, let alone water ski with adaptive equipment. She wears braces from her shoulders to her toes, but can walk using crutches. Bridget is still a patient of Reynolds and McLone, and has regular follow-up appointments with urologists, kidney specialists, orthopedic surgeons, dermatologists and other specialists. She still has occasional medical crises that require hospitalization, but through it all her mother, Mary, says she's retained her strong spirit. “Bridget's a real happy kid – a joy to be around and an inspiration for others,” she says.
Children's Memorial Hospital seeks philanthropic funding to enhance its programs and services. As a proud partner of the Children's Miracle Network (CMN), all funds raised in the Chicago area through CMN also benefit Children's Memorial. To find out how your support can help the hospital better serve children and families, please contact the Children's Memorial Foundation at 773.880.4237 or Foundation@childrensmemorial.org.