Rylie, Bacterial Meningitis

Rylie suffered great illness when she was a year and a half old with bacterial meningitis. She spent five weeks fighting for her life at Upstate University Hospital and then came home for a long road to recovery. She had to relearn how to hold her head up, sit, stand, crawl and walk. She also lost hearing in both ears permanently and required cochlear implant surgery. She essentially had to relearn how to “hear” and begin relearning how to speak as well. The only word she kept through it all was “mama.” Her balance has continued to be affected as well. 

Fast forward to a little over a year later, continuing her many doctor appointments, in-home therapies, and virtual auditory verbal therapy which has helped her learn listening and speaking skills, she has made a remarkable recovery from it all.

Today Rylie enjoys playing with her big sister Sydnie and her dog Addie. She loves to run and play outside. She enjoys learning American Sign Language and she also loves to wear her “cochlear ears”. She is fascinated by all animals. She likes to carry a purse around wherever she goes. She loves Cheetos and chocolate. She enjoys listening to music and busting a move. She has a bouncy ball collection and has to sleep with at least one in her hand. She loves to make you laugh. Rylie is a firecracker! She does things on her terms and is very self-motivated to do what she wants. Rylie has blown us away by how quickly she is catching up on her milestones. She is jumping, running, and beginning to speak and sign short sentences. 

Children’s Miracle Network helped us with medical bills during a time we felt very overwhelmed by these unexpected circumstances. They have continued to help us with travel and therapy services not covered by our insurance. This means so much to our family. 

Rylie’s Family