Kid Vids

Our "behind the scenes" videos provide insight into the real-life experiences of children who have been patients at Children's Hospital Boston. In these kid-produced videos, children who have been successfully treated for illnesses get a chance to return to the Children's Hospital and interview their doctors and medical researchers. Viewers not only learn about the medical aspects of illness, they have an opportunity to hear each child's firsthand thoughts about his or her experiences. Through these videos, it's clear that overcoming childhood illnesses involves more than just surgery and medicine. Children develop a sense of trust and incredibly strong bonds with their medical "heroes" that continue far beyond their stay in the hospital. We hope that these videos will help viewers begin to see the immeasurable effects of the research and care supported by Generation Cures.

Check out Video #1: "Nichole's Story"

Real-life Children's Hospital Boston patient Nichole has bounced back from surgery to remove a tumor from the base of her brain. In this short video, filmed in part by Nichole's brother Paul, meet Nichole and her doctor, neurosurgeon Liliana Goumnerova, and share their thoughts about the experience. As an added bonus, get an insider's view of the cutting-edge MR-OR machine that took pictures of Nichole's brain during her operation.

Check out Video #2: "MAKING HALF A HEART WHOLE "

Or...It's all a matter of plumbing! How do you make a heart whole when only half of it works? Dr. Peter Lang, a cardiologist (heart doctor) at Children's Hospital Boston says that fixing a heart is just a matter of plumbing - complicated plumbing! Well, Dr. Lang must be a great plumber, because 14-year old Will is doing just fine - even though only half his heart works! When Will was a baby, doctors discovered a hole in the right side of his heart. Dr. Lang had to operate - even though Will's heart was only as big as a walnut. Imagine operating on a walnut!! Will's operations saved his life - but couldn't save his right ventricle, the right side of his heart. So Doctor Lang and other doctors at Children's figured out how to help the left side of Will's heart to do all the work! Sounds impossible, right? Well, it wasn't easy, but Will's living proof that nothing is impossible!

Check out Video #3: "THE KINDEST CUT OF ALL!"

Right Brain to Left Brain: I Can't Hear You!
These days, 16-year old Samantha is pretty much a normal teenager. But when she was born, doctors didn't think she'd ever learn to walk. Why? Because Samantha had a stroke in her mother's womb that left her whole right side weaker than her left. Did that stop this teen? No way! Samantha learned to walk, run, and even water ski. But, by the time she was 15, Samantha faced another obstacle caused by her brain - seizures - up to 20 a week. What did one very special Children's Hospital doctor do to save the day? Learn how splitting Samantha's brain in two was the kindest cut of all!

Check out Video #4: "AN EMERGENCY MIGHT MAKE A DOC OUT OF ME"

20 Stitches and a Dream
Two years ago, Ben had one dream... to be a musician. Then he made an unplanned stop in the emergency room at Children's Hospital Boston. Twenty stitches later, Ben had a new source of inspiration - the ER doctor who took care of him. Now Ben's thinking about becoming an ER doctor too, so he can help other kids facing emergencies. Does that mean he's giving up music? No Way! Check out Ben's video to hear his songs and learn more about this kid who cares!

Check out Video #5: "MOYAMOYA IS NOT A CITY IN JAPAN"

It's a state in your brain
How do you win a kid's heart? Get into his head! That's just what Dr. Michael Scott did when he operated on David's brain. David has Moyamoya - sounds like a city in Japan, but it's really a rare disease where the blood vessels in his brain get so narrow that the brain can't get enough blood. Dr. Scott cut a window in David's skull (yup, it's true), then implanted a new artery in David's head that helps David's brain get the blood it needs. Guess you could call it hand-to-head combat!