Meet Champion, Aniya

At the age of 10, back-to-back injuries made Aniya a “frequent flier” at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Over the course of a year, she wore a cast, a boot, and used a wheelchair before undergoing surgery to repair her meniscus. Recovery was challenging both physically and emotionally. There were times Aniya felt discouraged, but each visit to Dayton Children’s gave her a reason to smile. Her care team was encouraging and kept her motivated every step of the way, even helping her discover a new passion for playing volleyball. Her mom recalls how the hospital felt fun, colorful, and full of love, even during a difficult time. Now fully recovered, 13-year-old Aniya is back to doing all the things she enjoys, roller coasters, acting and sports, a testament to her strength and the support of those who always believed in her