Meet Champion, Waylon

Waylon was diagnosed with spina bifida in the womb and born six weeks early with the most severe form, myelomeningocele, meaning his spinal cord was outside his body at birth. He also faced hydrocephalus, neurogenic bladder and bowels, club foot, and Chiari malformation. At just 18 hours old, Waylon had spinal cord surgery and spent two weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at OSF Healthcare Children’s Hospital of Illinois. Since then, he has undergone multiple procedures, including brain surgery to place a VP shunt, urological surgery, and a spinal detethering procedure. Though his journey has been filled with hospital stays, appointments, and tests, Waylon feels at home at OSF. He’s greeted with compassion and even gets to help with scans or tour the kitchen when curious. His family trusts that he is receiving the best possible care.