When Sophia O’Connor was just three years old, she suffered an adverse reaction to a prescribed medication. This reaction occurred in the middle of the night and caused Sophia to have hypoglycemia, or very low blood sugar. Because she was still in bed and her family was asleep, the hypoglycemia lasted for several hours and resulted in Sophia having multiple seizures and led to irreversible injury to her brain.

When Sophia wouldn’t wake up in the morning, her family called 911 and she was rushed to the nearest hospital. Due to the severity of her condition, she was airlifted to another hospital where a specialized medical team was ready and waiting for her arrival. She was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit and her family was told that she was the sickest patient there. During just the first half of her first day in the hospital, Sophia had over 150 seizures. The seizures appear to have occurred in the area of her brain that controls vision and resulted in blindness.

Sophia is now six years old and is in first grade. She still has seizures daily, but recently has started talking more and in longer sentences, and is always using her imagination. She’s kind, thoughtful and loves her friends and family. She has a strong support system that helps her enjoy each day and continue to accomplish new things.

Children’s Miracle Network at Samaritan Medical Center has helped Sophia and her family through the Direct Family Assistance Program. She receives regular care from specialists outside her hometown, which means lots of travel. CMN provides reimbursement of travel expenses, including mileage, food and lodging.

Through all that has happened, hope has remained a constant for Sophia’s family. There are days her parents grieve the life she once had and what they thought the future would be for her. Even through the challenges, they remain positive. They are thankful to watch their sweet and spunky Sophia grow, learn and conquer new things.