Thursday, March 11, 2010

Cason's Story

Cason
Age 8
Hearing Loss

Arkansas Children’s Hospital

During the first two years of Cason’s life, his parents had an instinct that something was wrong with their son’s hearing, yet every time they went to the doctor they were told he was fine. Believing differently, his parents took him to Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s audiology clinic when he was 2 years old. After only two appointments, the audiology clinic diagnosed him, fitted him and ordered his first hearing aids.

“When we came to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, I felt like we had been rescued,” said Cason’s mom.

Cason has bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and there is no surgical or medical fix. However, his hearing loss has been treated with his hearing aid and auditory verbal therapy.

Cason, 8, accepts his diagnosis, but does not accept that it is a disability. He is a great soccer player, an avid reader, is well on his way to becoming a black belt in taekwondo and is extremely sweet and compassionate—that is, when he’s not pretending to be a WWE wrestler.

About Walmart and Sam’s Club

Wal-Mart has supported Children’s Miracle Network since 1987. Since then, Children’s Miracle Network and Wal-Mart have worked tirelessly together to help children by raising money for children’s hospitals. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised more than $500 million for children’s hospitals during the 23 year relationship. This is the second year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions program.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club

Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club is a Children's Miracle Network program that brings attention to the important work being done at children’s hospitals by honoring remarkable children who have faced severe medical challenges.

The Champions program designates a champion child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals every year. The 2010 champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, heart transplants and traumas, as well as life-threatening staph infections.

As part of Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club, the champions travel for a week in June to Washington, D.C., where champions traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. The family then travels to Orlando, Fla., for a second week in November. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsor, hospital and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.