Tiny Devin Has Become Miracle Kid
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Le Jardin Academy fourth-grader Devin Otto is proof that miracles and dreams do come true. Weighing just 1 pound, 14.9 ounces at birth, he was given a 50-50 chance of survival and spent three months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.
During his stay, Devin fought off numerous bacterial, fungal, lung, blood and bladder infections, and underwent multiple transfusions and surgeries.
Now, a healthy 9-year-old, he has been named a Champion Across America by Children’s Miracle Network and will represent Hawaii in at two East Coast events this month.
“I think Devin is alive because of Kapiolani and all the modern technology and education of the doctors and nurses - they have the top-of-the-line care,” said his mom, Donna.“I credit them for my having three healthy boys (Devin’s younger twin brothers also were preemies) and the medical attention that they gave my children. Not only were they there for us in medical aspects, but the nurses were so wonderful. They were my support in the most difficult times in my life.”
CMN will fly Devin and family to the East Coast for its celebrations at Disney World and in Washington, D.C. The Kaneohe ohana will be one of 53 families making the trip to represent their state, sponsored by Walmart and Sam’s Club.
“They paid for our entire family of five to go,” said Donna, who volunteers at Kapiolani’s NICU. “We’ll be going to Disney World, then Delta is flying us to Washington, D.C., where we’ll get a tour of the Capitol, meet the president and let him know how important it is to have hospitals like Kapiolani (which is also President Obama’s birthplace). This is the family’s first trip to both places and we are so grateful. We don’t feel worthy of all this.”
The Champions program recognizes remarkable children who have triumphed despite severe medical challenges. For their courage, tenacity and perseverance, youngsters like Devin are selected as ambassadors for the 17 million kids treated each year at CMN children’s hospitals.
“The children are nominated based on medical significance and also from the hospital’s perspective of what the family has gone through that makes them a wonderful representative,” said Stacey Acma, director of Kapiolani CMN. “That Otto family has been wonderful to the hospital. Donna is a shoulder to cry on for families going through the same struggles and she has just been a wonderful resource for so many other families - they all have been. Dealing with challenges is often so private for families, but they have put themselves out there and have been there to help and inspire others.”
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