Samantha Stalnaker
Age 6
West Virginia University Children’s Hospital
Spina Bifida
Melissa Stalnaker was part-way through her pregnancy when she learned her unborn daughter would have spina bifida. Suddenly the future of her baby’s life seemed bleak. Spina bifida occurs when a baby’s spine fails to close during the first months of gestation. The effects of spina bifida can include difficulty standing, walking, or urinating. Many children are even permanently paralyzed.
All the worst-case scenarios the family had prepared themselves for turned out not to be the case. Samantha’s spine was not exposed, and she was only paralyzed from the ankles down. However, she did have hydrocephalus, a dangerous buildup of cerebral-spinal fluid around the brain. There was a great fear that Samantha would suffer brain damage as a result.
Five years and six surgeries later, Samantha walks with the help of a walker and the hydrocephalus is under control. Thanks to the mental, emotional and physical stimulation she received from her loving family at home, she has no mental impairment. Though the paralysis from her ankles down is permanent, Samantha works with an exceptional team of physical therapists who help her progress further each day.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
About Walmart and Sam's Club
Wal-Mart has supported Children’s Miracle Network since 1987. Since then, Children’s Miracle Network and Wal-Mart have worked tirelessly together to help children by raising money for children’s hospitals. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised more than $460 million for children’s hospitals during the relationship. This is the first year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions Across America program.
Champions Across America presented by Walmart and Sam's Club
Champions Across America presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club is a Children's Miracle Network program that brings attention to the important work being done at children’s hospitals by honoring remarkable children who have faced severe medical challenges.
The Champions Across America program designates a Champion child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals every year. The 2009 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including brittle bone disease, brain tumors and cerebral palsy, as well as surviving car accidents and plane crashes.
As part of Champions Across America, the Champions travel for a week – first to Florida to meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsors, hospital and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort. The group will then travel to Washington, D.C., where Champions traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to The White House.
The Champions Across America program designates a Champion child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals every year. The 2009 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including brittle bone disease, brain tumors and cerebral palsy, as well as surviving car accidents and plane crashes.
As part of Champions Across America, the Champions travel for a week – first to Florida to meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsors, hospital and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort. The group will then travel to Washington, D.C., where Champions traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to The White House.
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