Catching up with Hunter: On the fast track

Hunter, Congressman Poliquin and Madison A few months ago, Hunter VanBrocklin was barely managing a one-mile-per-hour pace on the treadmill. That was before his surgery to treat hip dysplasia. His surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Shore of the Boston Children’s Hospital Orthopedic Center, cautioned Hunter that it could take as long as one year to recover his pre-surgery pace. “I went past 1 mph already. Say good-bye,” brags Hunter, who’s not only managing a brisk three-miles-per-hour pace, but also recently returned from a trip to Washington D.C. for Family Advocacy Day. The annual event brings families from children’s hospitals across the U.S. to the capital to meet with their senators and representatives to share their medical stories and encourage lawmakers to improve access to high-quality pediatric care. This year, Boston Children’s staff and families sought to secure sponsorship for the Advancing Care for Exceptional (ACE) Kids Act of 2015, a bill that makes it easier for children with medically complex conditions who rely on Medicaid to get the care they need at children’s hospitals, especially when they have to cross state lines. Hunter, who has cerebral palsy, tackled the assignment like a champ, meeting with four lawmakers from his home state of Maine to ask for their support: U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin. Hunter and Wendy meeting with Congressman Bruce Poliquin Hunter proved he has what it...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Our Patients’ Stories cerebral palsy Dr. Benjamin Shore hip dysplasia Orthopedic Center Source Type: news