Fan of the Game for The Children's Home's Night at PNC Park!

Details

Category: News Articles

Created on Wednesday, 07 September 2011 14:54

Cody, a five year old boy and thriving student at Child's Way®, a pediatric extended care center at The Children's Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center was the center of attention at PNC Park on September 7, 2011. Cody was chosen to be the "Fan-of-the-Game" when the Pirates took on the Astros at 7:05 p.m. This special night recognized and supported the children and families served by The Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center's three programs: Adoption, Child's Way, and the Pediatric Specialty Hospital. Cody was recognized on the field before the game on behalf of The Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center.

Cody was born February 18, 2006, in deplorable and unthinkable living conditions when paramedics and police found him just an hour old, still alive. Cody was diagnosed with Jarcho-Levin Syndrome, the rarest and most complicated form of skeletal dysplasia. Every six months surgery is needed to "expand" Cody's "experimental" Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Ribs so his heart and lungs have room to grow. Cody also suffers from related severe digestive disorders and a badly damaged right lung requiring a feeding tube and continual oxygen. Cody was not expected to live through all of the continuous surgeries, but Cody, being a survivor, continues to live every day with an infectious smile and a true love for life. Cody has been a source of inspiration to the staff and visitors of The Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center and everyone he meets each day.



Cody's mother, Jackie, accompanied Cody for his big moment. She embraced Cody and fell in love with him after his maternal grandmother, Jackie's closest friend, could not fully handle the constant and specialized care Cody required. Jackie learned how to care for Cody at The Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center's Pediatric Specialty Hospital. She spent months by his bed side as he healed, learning how to manage his specialized treatments and how to monitor and operate Cody's life-sustaining devices. By the time Cody could go home, she mastered it all and soon became his new mother. Today Cody is a thriving student at Child's Way, our unique pediatric extended care and educational center, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, where he receives the constant medical supervision he needs and the education and interaction with friends he so deserves.

A great big thank you from everyone at The Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center for everyone who came out to PNC Park to help us raise awareness of our mission and celebrate the great work of our region!

Watch the news coverage of Cody's big night at PNC Park!