Olivia, Tracheomalacia

Olivia Rose Gorman was born a healthy baby girl on September 12, 2015, at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown NY. We were discharged home shortly after her birth, but just two days later, our lives changed forever. During Olivia’s newborn check-up, everything appeared normal until her oxygen levels suddenly dropped and she became unresponsive. Within moments, we found ourselves in the back of an ambulance being transported to the children’s hospital in Syracuse. From that day forward, Olivia’s medical journey has been a continuous and challenging roller coaster.

After extensive testing—including CT scans, MRIs, and bronchoscopies—Olivia was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart condition known as a right aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery. She spent the first two weeks of her life hospitalized and began ongoing care with a pediatric cardiologist at Upstate Hospital, as well as a pediatric ENT specialist. For years, Olivia attended quarterly medical appointments to closely monitor her condition. Receiving such a rare diagnosis left us uncertain about what the future would hold, and we learned to take each day as it came.

In June 2017, Olivia underwent her first open-heart surgery at Upstate Hospital, performed by Dr. George Alfieris from Rochester. She had a aortic arch repair. The surgery was successful, and her recovery was remarkable. Later that fall, while Olivia’s father was deployed to Korea, the children and I temporarily relocated to Pennsylvania. During this time, Olivia’s health began to decline once again, resulting in multiple hospitalizations and an additional surgery. While under the care of the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania, she was diagnosed with a restrictive airway condition known medically as tracheomalacia.

In addition to her heart and airway conditions, Olivia suffers from severe asthma. She requires daily inhalers, nebulizer treatments, and steroid medications. At only ten years old, Olivia is unable to live a typical childhood. She must avoid outdoor activities when temperatures rise above 80°F or fall below 40°F—a significant challenge while living in Upstate New York. Minor cold symptoms that would be manageable for most children often escalate into serious illnesses for Olivia. She has experienced numerous bouts of pneumonia, bronchitis, and croup, along with countless hospitalizations and procedures.

Since 2023, our family has traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, six times for specialized medical care, including two major surgeries. In July 2024, Olivia underwent an aortic uncrossing surgery performed by an exceptional team of thoracic surgeons. In October 2025, she had a tracheopexy to further open and support her airway.

Despite the immense challenges she has faced, Olivia remains a joyful, resilient child. She loves to sing, create art, and share her smile with everyone around her. We are incredibly blessed to have her in our lives and are continually inspired by her strength and spirit.

The Gorman Family