Meet Champion, Austin

When Austin was just six months old, his parents rushed him to the emergency room after noticing he was struggling to breathe. He was diagnosed with severe pneumonia but further testing at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital revealed something more, a congenital heart defect. Austin underwent surgery, and additional scans uncovered another condition: periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), a brain injury that affects the brain’s white matter and motor function. Since that moment, Le Bonheur has been by Austin’s side. Now 15 years old, Austin still faces challenges with head control and basic motor skills. While he cannot walk or talk, he communicates with the help of an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device, using a small sticker on his forehead to press buttons. Today, Austin continues to receive expert care from neurologists and specialists at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. His family credits the hospital with giving him the quality of life he enjoys today