Aila Finds a Village of Care

Aila is a lively elementary school student and social butterfly once she comes out of her cocoon. She loves dancing, especially wearing her older sister Emma’s tutu, and playing basketball and the violin. When she was 1, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at Children’s National Hospital.

 

Her condition limits her mobility from the waist down, requiring her to use a walker or crutches. Soon after her diagnosis, she joined our White Matter Clinic. It offers comprehensive care and advanced treatments for children with damage to the brain’s white matter, a large network of nerves.

 

Her parents Olga and Evan are grateful for the clinic’s integrated approach to streamline her appointments and provide holistic care. Compassionate care from Mi Ran Shin, MD, MPH, a rehabilitation specialist, gives Aila and her parents comfort they can count on.

 

“Dr. Shin is family at this point,” Olga says. “She is invested in our daughter and all of us.”

 

At age 2, Aila had a spinal cord surgery and stayed at the hospital for 5 weeks. “After her surgery, every person from her care team stopped by to check on her,” Evan says. “During her physical therapy appointments, Dr. Shin always visits, even when she is busy.”

 

They found community at every step of their care journey. “We have this village now,” Olga says. “When Aila walks into the hospital, she waves left and right at everyone who knows her.”

 

Pet therapy visits, activities, music and holiday decorations brought them special moments of joy in the hospital. “You know to expect great care, but you also get all these extra little things that make you smile,” she says. It’s like a cherry on top.”

 

While the cause of her condition is unknown, Aila participates in clinical studies to help unlock discoveries for healthier futures. In the meantime, her parents advocate for Aila and kids like her in the community.

 

“As a parent, you want your kids’ quality of life to be better,” Olga says, “It’s been really helpful to have the hospital’s resources and support to know where to invest time and make a difference.”