Welcome to the CMN team, Mac!

Mac was born with Spina bifida and a severe form of Chiari malformation, a condition in which brain tissue extends to the spinal canal. He was immediately transferred to Valley Children’s Hospital where he spent two weeks in the hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). He has been admitted at Valley Children’s more than 100 times, with 12 weeks being his longest inpatient stay. Through the years, “Mac” as he prefers to be called, has undergone a total of 34 surgeries at Valley Children’s. His mom Veronica says they have seen many specialties at the hospital, including neurology, neurosurgery, urology, pulmonology, ENT, gastroenterology, plastic surgery, rehabilitation, orthopedics and nephrology.

He is now 11 years old and in sixth grade, homeschooled by his mom. Mac also enjoys reading, playing video games, board games with his family. He also loves animals and watching sports primarily baseball and football.

Mac has always been a happy child with an incredible spirit. Veronica says, “Mac was always smiling and always had a great attitude. Until this day, his goal is for others to have a better day.” When he grows up, Mac wants to be a veterinarian or a sports agent. Veronica agrees either career path fits his warm personality perfectly. He has a much-loved aardvark plushy he calls “Voth” and has a collection of George the giraffe toys.

Thanks to the support of CMNH, state-of-the-art medical equipment and patient services such as child life and spiritual care were available for Mac during his many treatments and procedures at Valley Children’s.

Welcome, Mac!