With the new year upon us, I want you to meet our CMN 2020 Champion Child, Hayden!

Diagnosis: Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)

Story: Hayden was diagnosed with CDH before he was born. This means he has a hole in the diaphragm that allows organs from the abdomen to move to the chest cavity, restricting lung growth. It was also predicted that Hayden would have less than a 5 percent chance of survival.

On June 3, 2008, Hayden was born and was immediately intubated and rushed to the NICU. Once he was stable enough, he underwent a 12-hour surgery to put his organs in the right place and repair the hole in the diaphragm. A few months later Hayden was able to go home!

Because of CDH, Hayden has multiple health issues. He continuously suffers from severe GI complications and is prone to getting adhesions that cause bowel obstructions. He has had at least 60 surgical procedures and countless hospital stays over his life. Hayden has been diagnosed with intestinal failure and continues to need nutrition as well as hydration and medication through a central line in his chest. None of this slows Hayden down. He tries his very best each and every day to be able to do typical “kid things”.

Hayden’s parents work tirelessly with the doctors to help keep him playing with his brothers and friends! Hayden loves both baseball and the Cub Scouts. Even though he has his own daily struggles with his medical needs he always is checking on others and trying to find ways to help his family and friends.

Hayden is an amazing child with such an amazing attitude towards life. Even though he had to spend New Year’s Eve in the hospital due to fever, he doesn’t let it get him down!

Please think of Hayden and his family as you go into the new year! <3