It was heartwarming to see the amount of concern the staff had.

Leonard and Latrieva Boston’s daughter Chloe was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome when she was one year old. The syndrome is a genetic disorder that can cause delayed development, problems with speech and balance, intellectual disability, and seizures.

When the family moved to the Kalamazoo area in 2012, Chloe became a patient at Bronson, under the care of a neurologist. In 2013, 3-year-old Chloe was having frequent and worsening seizures, including during a neurology visit. Her doctor recommended she be admitted and put in a medically induced coma so they could better care for Chloe and try to get the seizures under control. Chloe ended up spending 30 days in Bronson Children’s Hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit. Her mom stayed with her throughout.

“The staff at Bronson Children’s Hospital was so instrumental in making my wife feel comfortable, being with her, and supporting her 150%” Lenn says.  “It was heartwarming to see the amount of concern the staff had not only for Chole but for our entire family. Everybody was very positive and upbeat. It really touched us.”

The experience stuck with Lenn and Latrieva over the years. Last year members of VFW Post 827, where Lenn is the post commander, decided to hold a golf outing to support a few community causes. Remembering his own experience, Lenn suggested helping families with children undergoing care at Bronson Children’s Hospital. Following the golf outing, the VFW presented a $1,000 check to go to Bronson Health Foundation’s Children’s Hospital Fund. The money is being used to support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit parent liaison position to ensure parents have the support they need, especially when their child is in the hospital for an extended period.

“During our experience we felt like we were with staff that genuinely cared, and at that moment could be considered as Chloe’s family. They provided exemplary care,” says Lenn. “Funding for the NICU parent liaison will help more families and reduce their stress, which will in turn help the patients.”