I am married to a person who showed resilience or the capacity to bounce. I met Lana during her work as a Management Consultant for our Orthopedic service at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
During my career as a Pediatric Orthopedist and caring for children throughout childhood I observed with the same problem, some infants “bounced” while others were devastated.
Lana was born with a TE fistula, a connection between her esophagus (for swallowing) and her trachea (for breathing). Without treatment infants with this condition die because food fills the lungs and instead of going to the stomach.
Lana was fortunate being born into a family who, despite being poor, had medical care. The diagnosis was made quickly and she was transferred to Dr. Haight at the University of Michigan who pioneered surgical correction of the problem. As Lana was treated early in his series, the mortality rate was about 50% and complications were frequent. Lana suffered rupture of the reconstructed esophagus with pneumonia and months of hospitalization with isolation from her parents. At 6 moths of age Lana weighed only five pounds.
In addition to the surgical skill of Dr. Haight, the attentiveness and dedication of the resident doctor was essential. He provided support and wrote long letters to the family detailing her condition.
Lana’s parents’ attitude and care for Lana were critical. They treated her as a normal child and shielded her from over-treatment of her fused ribs and scoliosis. So often, infants and children are medicalized, being submerged by “treatments” with surgery, casting, bracing, therapies, etc. Disability is compounded by a restricted childhood and the absence of lessons learned from play experiences. A most important period of life, childhood, is lost or marred.
Finally, a forth factor was Lana’s own intense drive to be normal. Not only did Lana overcome these limitations; she exceeded them by rejecting the disabled label, by overcoming cultural expectations that young women need to become “housewives,” and the widespread belief that they are not capable of an education beyond high school. Lana earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Washington and later a PhD in psychology. Lana has since become a highly successful counselor, a prolific writer, a TV and radio advisor, a successful stepparent of three children, a philanthropist, a world traveler, a community leader, and a wonderful wife and companion.
Lana wrote a successful book entitled Bounce, Be Transformed, Change Your Mind, Change Your Life, Change The World which focuses on strategies to add joy and meaning to life, many of which she exemplifies in her own experience. Instead of retiring, she continues to coach able clients with her wise and pragmatic advice.
Lana continues to manage the effects of TE fistula, including a severely narrowed esophagus. As a result, her food choices are severely limited, but she accommodates this limitation with quiet effort.
Most of all Lana is loved for her exceptional wisdom, for her lovingness and generosity, and for being an exemplary grandmother and wife.
Lynn Staheli MD
During my career as a Pediatric Orthopedist and caring for children throughout childhood I observed with the same problem, some infants “bounced” while others were devastated.
Lana was born with a TE fistula, a connection between her esophagus (for swallowing) and her trachea (for breathing). Without treatment infants with this condition die because food fills the lungs and instead of going to the stomach.
Lana was fortunate being born into a family who, despite being poor, had medical care. The diagnosis was made quickly and she was transferred to Dr. Haight at the University of Michigan who pioneered surgical correction of the problem. As Lana was treated early in his series, the mortality rate was about 50% and complications were frequent. Lana suffered rupture of the reconstructed esophagus with pneumonia and months of hospitalization with isolation from her parents. At 6 moths of age Lana weighed only five pounds.
In addition to the surgical skill of Dr. Haight, the attentiveness and dedication of the resident doctor was essential. He provided support and wrote long letters to the family detailing her condition.
Lana’s parents’ attitude and care for Lana were critical. They treated her as a normal child and shielded her from over-treatment of her fused ribs and scoliosis. So often, infants and children are medicalized, being submerged by “treatments” with surgery, casting, bracing, therapies, etc. Disability is compounded by a restricted childhood and the absence of lessons learned from play experiences. A most important period of life, childhood, is lost or marred.
Finally, a forth factor was Lana’s own intense drive to be normal. Not only did Lana overcome these limitations; she exceeded them by rejecting the disabled label, by overcoming cultural expectations that young women need to become “housewives,” and the widespread belief that they are not capable of an education beyond high school. Lana earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Washington and later a PhD in psychology. Lana has since become a highly successful counselor, a prolific writer, a TV and radio advisor, a successful stepparent of three children, a philanthropist, a world traveler, a community leader, and a wonderful wife and companion.
Lana wrote a successful book entitled Bounce, Be Transformed, Change Your Mind, Change Your Life, Change The World which focuses on strategies to add joy and meaning to life, many of which she exemplifies in her own experience. Instead of retiring, she continues to coach able clients with her wise and pragmatic advice.
Lana continues to manage the effects of TE fistula, including a severely narrowed esophagus. As a result, her food choices are severely limited, but she accommodates this limitation with quiet effort.
Most of all Lana is loved for her exceptional wisdom, for her lovingness and generosity, and for being an exemplary grandmother and wife.
Lynn Staheli MD
