Spring 2022 EditionTwo-year-old Macie Kieffer became a CHC client during a scary time—the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She lives in Hays, Kansas, with dad Andy, mom Michele, and big sister Avery. Despite her medical complications, she has met many milestones during her time with CHC! Macie was born with complex single ventricle, which is a term used to describe ...

Spring 2022 EditionIn his five years on this earth, Griffin Albritton lived every day to its fullest. He gave and received boundless and unconditional love. In the words of mom Michelle, he filled those around him with hope and inspired them to go out and help others—something she believes will continue when people hear Griffin’s story. “Griffin was able to ...

Fall 2020 EditionBorn at just 24 weeks, Harvey only weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces. He spent the first six months of his life in the hospital under the intensive care of doctors and nurses. Though he has experienced some delayed development, he is catching up and embracing life with a can-do attitude. CHC nurse Deb shares about his progress. Harvey ...

Fall 2020 EditionAfter five months in the NICU, Nolin was finally able to go home. As happy as his family was to bring him home, there was fear, too, of the three-hour drive across the state to get there. Nolin’s parents, Lindsi and Kyle, share the story of Nolin’s journey. Our Nolin was born prematurely at 30 weeks via emergency ...

Spring 2021 Edition“I have mastered survival mode; now it’s time to live.” That’s the powerful motto of CHC client Justine. Justine lives with mitochondrial myopathy and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Her hardworking stepdad is an over-the-road truck driver who has to be away for weeks at a time, so mom Kathy often needed to handle her care solo. After a successful tracheostomy ...

Spring 2021 EditionCHC nurse Nikki cares for CHC clients in Southwest Kansas, and is also part of the Leonard’s Legacy Foundation that helps rural special needs kids and their families get access to care. Nikki and client David have learned together to communicate in a new way—through sign language. We asked Nikki to share the story. I was one of ...

Fall 2021 EditionWhen CHC client Gwendolyn (Gwen) started on palliative care, her parents Mark and Erin had one main goal: to make her smile every day. Inspired by Gwen’s joy and strength, they founded a nonprofit, Gwendolyn’s Gifts, to share smiles and support with other families of children on palliative or hospice care. We asked Erin to share this remarkable ...