Keith’s story is not an easy one to tell, or even understand. He was born on August 6th, 2015. His head full of hair and soft cheeks filled the room with joy and love. We knew Keith had Cerebellar Hypoplasia so we were scheduled to have a brain MRI done at Nationwide Children’s a few days after he was born. Keith continued being a fun and adorable newborn, but was having trouble feeding and gaining weight. We were admitted again to NCH in November of 2015. During our stay we found a few more abnormalities with Keith, including Left Ventricle Hypertrophy. We learned his body was getting tired during feedings because his heart was working very hard while trying to feed. From there we worked with the Cardiology, Neurology, Genetics and GI to find the best way to help Keith.

We were sent home on Thanksgiving Day 2015 and were able to enjoy holidays and Christmas Day at home with our wonderful Keith.

We ended up back at NCH on January 4th, 2016. Keith had some type of episode while at daycare that led to troubled breathing and him becoming very acidotic. The Emergency Room team at NCH took quick and proper action; saving Keith’s life that day. From there, we were admitted into the Cardio Thoracic Intensive Care Unit. This team was an enormous blessing to Keith and quickly became family. The doctors at NCH tried everything they could to determine a diagnosis for Keith. We continued to work tirelessly with Cardiology, Genetics and Neurology to determine a diagnosis. Though many tests came back with no results, we were able to see some not-so-typical behaviors in Keith as well what was within his Mitochondrial cells. Keith was having issues with storing and using energy properly, which led to multiple issues including breathing.

We sadly had to say goodbye to Keith’s earthly life on February 2nd, 2016. Nationwide Children’s Hospital allowed us to have some beautiful moments with Keith in his last days. While many things were and will remain unclear about Keith’s condition – One thing was very clear – LOVE. Keith was loved by not only his parents, his family and friends, but by the staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The staff was able to look past all of the tubing, wires, medical equipment and sounds to constantly remind us in the simple beauty of Keith. We all were moved by Keith’s courage and will always remember his sweet soul. We are forever grateful for NCH and everything they did for Keith and for us as his parents.

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• Name: Keith L.Keith Lewis
• Condition(s): Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies
• Age at Treatment: 5 days

Keith’s story is not an easy one to tell, or even understand. He was born on August 6th, 2015. His head full of hair and soft cheeks filled the room with joy and love. We knew Keith had Cerebellar Hypoplasia so we were scheduled to have a brain MRI done at Nationwide Children’s a few days after he was born. Keith continued being a fun and adorable newborn, but was having trouble feeding and gaining weight. We were admitted again to NCH in November of 2015. During our stay we found a few more abnormalities with Keith, including Left Ventricle Hypertrophy. We learned his body was getting tired during feedings because his heart was working very hard while trying to feed. From there we worked with the Cardiology, Neurology, Genetics and GI to find the best way to help Keith.

We were sent home on Thanksgiving Day 2015 and were able to enjoy holidays and Christmas Day at home with our wonderful Keith.

We ended up back at NCH on January 4th, 2016. Keith had some type of episode while at daycare that led to troubled breathing and him becoming very acidotic. The Emergency Room team at NCH took quick and proper action; saving Keith’s life that day. From there, we were admitted into the Cardio Thoracic Intensive Care Unit. This team was an enormous blessing to Keith and quickly became family. The doctors at NCH tried everything they could to determine a diagnosis for Keith. We continued to work tirelessly with Cardiology, Genetics and Neurology to determine a diagnosis. Though many tests came back with no results, we were able to see some not-so-typical behaviors in Keith as well what was within his Mitochondrial cells. Keith was having issues with storing and using energy properly, which led to multiple issues including breathing.

We sadly had to say goodbye to Keith’s earthly life on February 2nd, 2016. Nationwide Children’s Hospital allowed us to have some beautiful moments with Keith in his last days. While many things were and will remain unclear about Keith’s condition – One thing was very clear – LOVE. Keith was loved by not only his parents, his family and friends, but by the staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The staff was able to look past all of the tubing, wires, medical equipment and sounds to constantly remind us in the simple beauty of Keith. We all were moved by Keith’s courage and will always remember his sweet soul. We are forever grateful for NCH and everything they did for Keith and for us as his parents.