“At Shriners Children’s Boston, you’re not just a patient, you’re family.”
That’s how Allison describes the hospital and staff who have been treating her 15-year-old daughter Nevaeh for extensive burn injuries she sustained as a child.
Nevaeh was 5 when she was burned by hot oil on the stove at her home in Maine. She was airlifted to Mass General Hospital and then taken to Shriners Children’s Boston, where she met what her mom calls an amazing medical team. According to Allison, “As soon as we got to Shriners Children’s Boston everyone was caring, outgoing and helpful.”
Nevaeh was an inpatient at Shriners Children’s Boston for about a month. “By the time we left, the staff had become our family. Nevaeh was given the best care I could have ever asked for my daughter,” Allison said as she remembered how Nevaeh never cried before or after surgeries, and credited this to her outstanding care team.
Rebecca Wildes, MS, CCLS, is a child life specialist who worked closely with Nevaeh’s mom ahead of surgical procedures. “I remember Allison being by Nevaeh’s side in the OR. Nevaeh was at ease because she could hold her mom’s hand and hear her voice before falling off to sleep for surgery,” explained Rebecca. “I never underestimate the profound emotion that comes with filling this role as a parent.”
Nevaeh has had several surgeries over the years at Shriners Children’s Boston. She returns once or twice a year for various procedures with her doctor, Branko Bojovic, M.D. Dr. Bojovic is chief of plastic surgery, laser surgery and reconstructive surgery at Shriners Children’s Boston. Allison described Dr. Bojovic as “amazing” and a “great listener.” “Dr. Bojovic’s focus is talking to Nevaeh about her care, about what she wants to do, what her plan is, making sure she is happy with her outcomes,” she said.
Nevaeh is doing well in her recovery and getting stronger. “The medical team has gotten Nevaeh and the whole family through her surgeries,” Allison said. “If I didn’t understand what the doctors were saying, the staff was there to explain it.”
The thoughtfulness and dedication of the team at Shriners Children’s Boston stands out to Allison and Nevaeh. Nevaeh’s mom recalls a frightening trip to Shriners Children’s Boston during a winter storm, making them several hours late for their appointment. “Two nurses along with Dr. Bojovic waited for us to get to the hospital. You don’t get that anywhere else,” Allison said.
Never give up on your dreams. Always keep your mind open, try to think positively, and let yourself rely on the doctors.
A special memory for both mother and daughter was attending the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl in Vermont this past summer. The Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Football Game is played between teams of graduated high school seniors from Vermont and New Hampshire. This annual event raises money for the Shriners Children’s healthcare system. “I was overwhelmed with how great and how friendly everyone was. It was really nice,” Allison said. Nevaeh was honored at the August game, and Allison shared the impact Shriners Children’s Boston has had on their family.
Rebecca also remembers another big moment for Nevaeh: going back to school. “I facilitated a school reentry in her elementary classroom, where we prepared the students and eased her transition from the hospital back to school. We explained visible differences to students to ‘demystify’ the burn injury and encouraged them to have empathy. Her classmates were so kind and even came up with ideas of how they could help her feel included and welcome.”
Nevaeh also bonded with fellow burn survivors on Team Brave. The program is a collaboration with the Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation, established to help children reintegrate into the community and become more comfortable outside the hospital walls. Child life specialists and volunteers from the foundation lead patients on fun activities in the Boston area. Rebecca recalls asking Allison how she thought Nevaeh would feel about attending an upcoming pasta-making class. “I remember Allison said it would help, as her family was still struggling with learning how to make the kitchen feel like a safe space again. Nevaeh thrived in the cooking class. That part of her journey helped foster her confidence and healing.”
In her free time, Nevaeh enjoys drawing, reading and swimming. She is also an animal lover who not only spends time playing with her kittens, but enjoys napping with her pets! Every summer, she looks forward to attending burn camp.
Allison is sending a message of hope and healing to other families going through similar situations at Shriners Children’s Boston. “Never give up on your dreams. Always keep your mind open, try to think positively, and let yourself rely on the doctors.”
