My son, Michael that I’ve listed as the patient wasn’t sick, you may not even consider him a patient so this may make our story a bit out of the ordinary. He participated in the RSV Research Study in honor of his big sister, Addy. Addy passed away from RSV two years ago when she was 10 months old. Michael will never be able to meet his big sister. Almost all children under the age of 2 will get RSV at some point, as first time parents we were clueless and never imagined it could result in death. We’re sharing our story as I would never want another family to experience what we have.

Addy was a seemingly healthy baby, of course she got a cough and cold as most children do. She went to daycare and it was the winter season. We even took her to the doctor as she sounded congested. We were told to keep an eye on her and look for severe symptoms, never thinking that 18 hours after that visit she would be gone.

No words can describe what we’ve gone through. It took a really long time to be able to talk about it. And it took an even longer time to do something about it…thanks to Michael.

Michael started to refill our hearts with joy and love. He reminds us so much of his big sister, Addy and I know they would be best buddies. So when we learned of the opportunity to participate in the Research Study at Nationwide Children’s, I didn’t think twice before signing Michael up. The overall appointment took 30-45 minutes and although it did require an extra trip to the hospital that no one really wants to take with a little blood withdrawl and nose swab, the benefits FAR outweigh those few minutes. We received beyond amazement treatment from the staff. I truly believe the work they’re doing will find a treatment for RSV so no parent has to experience what we have. I know this story will be a little different than some of the others, my daughter Addy was never a patient at Nationwide Children’s…she didn’t get the chance but Michael was a volunteer patient and I count my blessings every day for him and any other child/family that contributes to research.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_bbryFR_SM

https://flutter.nationwidechildrens.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/4-ede9f44fbfc12d4ad796078917b471d6/2018/03/Michael_6months_0018.jpg

https://flutter.nationwidechildrens.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/4-ede9f44fbfc12d4ad796078917b471d6/2018/03/Addy_6months_0130.jpg

https://flutter.nationwidechildrens.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_1371-2-e1523300759903.jpg

• Name: Michael S.Michael Sylvester
• Condition(s): Research Study Participant, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• Age at Treatment: 4 months
• Age Today: 05/18/20176 Years

My son, Michael that I’ve listed as the patient wasn’t sick, you may not even consider him a patient so this may make our story a bit out of the ordinary. He participated in the RSV Research Study in honor of his big sister, Addy. Addy passed away from RSV two years ago when she was 10 months old. Michael will never be able to meet his big sister. Almost all children under the age of 2 will get RSV at some point, as first time parents we were clueless and never imagined it could result in death. We’re sharing our story as I would never want another family to experience what we have.

Addy was a seemingly healthy baby, of course she got a cough and cold as most children do. She went to daycare and it was the winter season. We even took her to the doctor as she sounded congested. We were told to keep an eye on her and look for severe symptoms, never thinking that 18 hours after that visit she would be gone.

No words can describe what we’ve gone through. It took a really long time to be able to talk about it. And it took an even longer time to do something about it…thanks to Michael.

Michael started to refill our hearts with joy and love. He reminds us so much of his big sister, Addy and I know they would be best buddies. So when we learned of the opportunity to participate in the Research Study at Nationwide Children’s, I didn’t think twice before signing Michael up. The overall appointment took 30-45 minutes and although it did require an extra trip to the hospital that no one really wants to take with a little blood withdrawl and nose swab, the benefits FAR outweigh those few minutes. We received beyond amazement treatment from the staff. I truly believe the work they’re doing will find a treatment for RSV so no parent has to experience what we have. I know this story will be a little different than some of the others, my daughter Addy was never a patient at Nationwide Children’s…she didn’t get the chance but Michael was a volunteer patient and I count my blessings every day for him and any other child/family that contributes to research.