Shortly after Giovanni was born at a Southern California hospital, nurses noticed he had a rare abnormality. They fed him and his stomach swelled up and remained distended.  Further examination revealed that Giovanni had an anorectal malformation that occurs in roughly 1 in 5,000 births. His colon did not develop in the right location, making it impossible for Giovanni to have a normal bowel movement.

Condition:  Colorectal Malfunction

MEET GIOVANNI

Andie Sue and Kaysie Li Roth appear the picture of grace and agility when performing with their horses in equestrian competitions. But that wasn’t always the case.

Condition:  Orthopaedic

ANDIE SUE & KAYSIE LI

Emma was riding with her grandpa through sand dunes near Pismo Beach when their vehicle was run over by a Hummer. Emma’s father, Matt, witnessed the collision and was the first responder on the scene.

Condition:  Traumatic Injury

EMMA

When Antwon was carried off the football field due to a knee injury in the fall of 2017, he questioned his future as an athlete. Thanks to the Sports Medicine team at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California, he is on track to return to the playing field.

Condition:  Sports Injury

ANTWON

Athena was diagnosed with spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy, when she was 9 months old. Doctors told her parents, Molly and George, that because of the spasticity their daughter may not walk.

Condition:  Spastic Diplegia, a form of Cerebral Palsy

ATHENA