Hannah

Like a good game of Tetris, Hannah Gorman had everybody puzzled.

About six months after she was born, Hannah’s parents noticed she wasn’t progressing like a normal baby. She couldn’t hold her head up, wouldn’t sit up, and ate very little, if at all.

“She would sleep all day if I let her,” says Hannah’s mom, Kristy. “I usually had to wake her up to feed her. Even then, she couldn’t latch on to a bottle very well.”

Medical examinations in the family’s hometown of Oakdale were inconclusive, so doctors referred Hannah to Children’s Hospital Central California. There neurologist Dr. Amanda Fernandez and gastroenterologist Dr. Muslim Jami performed a range of tests on the 1-year-old.

Blood work, urine samples, hearing tests, and even an internal biopsy of her stomach lining showed nothing out of the ordinary. Genetic testing also couldn’t reveal the problem. Drs. Fernandez and Jami were able to prescribe a course of treatment to help the developmentally delayed youngster even though the root problem remained a mystery. Hannah fit into a diagnosis known as Failure to Thrive.

Hannah underwent a variety of speech, occupational, and physical therapies to stimulate her development. Medications to treat her reflux and constipation were also prescribed. Slowly, she started getting better.

Hannah, now 5, has visited Children’s over two dozen times in the last four years. Though the mystery continues, she’s still made incredible strides since her first trip to the Hospital.

“I definitely don’t think she would be where she is now without all of the help and the information we received from both of those doctors,” says Kristy. “They are the reason why she is progressing.”

Hannah will continue to be seen at Children’s on a regular basis. Thanks to the Hospital’s Modesto and Merced Pediatric Subspecialty Centers, the
Gorman family won’t always have to make the two-hour drive to Madera.

“Dr. Jami comes to Modesto and we are so thankful that he does,” says Kristy. “We’ve also been to the clinic in Merced to see Dr. Fernandez. That is really helpful.”

Hannah will begin kindergarten in the fall. While she will receive special education, she will also participate in a regular kindergarten class for part of the day. Kristy believes that her interaction with other children will only help further Hannah’s development.

“She’s very social,” says her mom. “Always smiling and happy. She’s doing awesome, and she’s progressing every year. I think she’ll just keep progressing.”

Seems Hannah’s future looks as bright as the colors on the Kremlin, proof that some puzzles are better left unsolved.

Journey Sponsored by Drs. Eileen & William Hennrikus and Family
Adventured Sponsored by Jim, Barbara, James & Alex Meinert