Meet Kennedy

After a summer of many health challenges, six-year-old Kennedy was sent to the ER and later admitted to Nationwide Children’s - Toledo’s pediatric intensive care unit where she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Immediately, she was set up with an action plan. 

“The plan was thorough, clear and FAST. The Endocrinology team at Nationwide Children’s - Toledo explained her diagnosis and walked us through what the next few days and Kennedy’s future looked like with great compassion, education and support. We experienced many emotions those first few days in the hospital – there were many tears, questions and frustrations. But Kennedy’s care team was right by our side the entire time as we took our first steps into this new health journey. Throughout our experience, we felt we had the full attention of the doctors and staff. The diabetes educators also gifted her a backpack full of materials, games and a very IMPORTANT teddy bear named Rufus. Rufus had diabetes and he was a tool that the team used to show Kennedy how her new reality would work. By the last day, we were taking Rufus on rides in the butterfly wagon and Kennedy was showing him ‘her hospital.’ I can’t put into words how that made me feel – we had hope, and she had her confidence back. 

Although our stay at the hospital came to an end, our connection to the Nationwide Children’s - Toledo team has continued on. We have been in contact with them daily, sometimes multiple times a day, talking through our questions and helping us navigate Kennedy’s treatment plan. Being a Type 1 diabetic is life-changing, but my daughter now has the best team and support system coaching her through it. I would recommend Nationwide Children’s Hospital - Toledo for many reasons, but mostly because of the care they gave our daughter. Maya Angelou, a famous poet once said, ‘people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I have always believed how you make someone feel makes a longer, lasting impression, and the team at the hospital did just that for us. The level of care, time and hard work each member at Nationwide Children’s - Toledo gave us was outstanding.” – Lindsey, Kennedy’s mom