Family Advisory Council

Rebecca A.

Diagnosis/Primary Condition

Nicholas had bi-lateral clubbed feet and knee complications. 

Gillette's Impact

Nicholas first visited Gillette at 4 days old when he met the orthopedic team and had the first of many casting appointments.  He has been seeing the doctors at Gillette his entire life and has spent time in the clinic, physical therapy and several overnight stays for surgeries.  We have been pleased with Nicholas’s care and all the staff we have worked with from the surgeons to the administrative assistants.  The team has been very caring and supportive along the way.  Most importantly, we’ve never felt like he was a number, the personal care and attention is genuine at Gillette. 

Vanessa B.

Family Members
Adryana and Alyssa

Hometown
Lakeville, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Alyssa has a traumatic brain injury since she was 5 months old and Adryana was diagnosed with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and other complex issues

Gillette's Impact
Both of our girls receive top notch care. Their providers can communicate with each other easily. All appointments and medical history is in one place on line for me. Adryana has 6 different specialists at Gillette we would not be where we are at in her level of comfort and our ability to care for her and her to have the best life possible if it wasn’t for their providers, including occupational and physical therapists.We seem to always be at the doctor's, and having this hospital with these doctors and nurses just makes it easier .

Kristen C.

Family Members
Roland and Stephen

Hometown
St. Paul, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)

Gillette's Impact
For a long time we were in the dark about what was happening with our son and no one was willing to say what was happening with him. When we came to Gillette they were very helpful in highlighting the things going on with him which I am profoundly appreciative of. It is very important that patients at Gillette including my son receive the best possible care. It is a safe space for my son. We always feel welcome and heard at Gillette.

Michelle K.

Family Members
Jack (Husband), and triplets Thomas, Ryan, and Catherine

Hometown
Chanhassen, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Cerebral palsy

Gillette's Impact
Shorty after Ryan's diagnosis around age 1, my husband and I transferred Ryan's care to Gillette given Gillette's leadership role in cerebral palsy treatment. The care Ryan has received at Gillette has enabled him to progress towards developmental milestones and, more importantly, enjoy the quality of life we pray that each of our children can experience. The ear to ear grin on his face as he chases his siblings using his walker is priceless. We continue to be grateful for the clinical care Ryan receives at Gillette and for the transparency, support, and resources we receive as a family.

Stacy M.

Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. He is a former 26 week preemie twin.

Gillette's Impact
My son has been working with Gillette since he was 14 months old. They have been there every step of the way during his diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and have continued to work with our son addressing his spasticity by having the SDR surgery and now next summer having the SEMLs (Single Event Multi-Level Surger) to correct the bone alignment. We are grateful for all the care received from Gillette, for not only our son, but the entire family. 

Jackie R.

Family Members
Wesley, Waylon and Paul (husband)

Hometown
Eden Prairie, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Cerebral Palsy (hemiplegia) and Epilepsy

Gillette's Impact
When Wesley was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, we had no idea what to expect. Gillette has been with us every step of the way. Our care team has always gone above and beyond with consistent compassion, hope and high level expertise. When navigating through difficult situations, we have always felt empathy and top notch bed side manner.

Audrey S.

Family Members
Elijah (grandson)

Hometown
Minneapolis, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Cerebral Palsy

Gillette's Impact
All of my grandson's major surgeries have been at Gillette. I'm a part of the council because I want to share our journey as a BIPOC family navigating the complexity of the health care system.

Anne S.

Family Members
Denis (husband), Joe (10 years old), and Leo (8 years old)

Hometown
Inver Grove Heights, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Infantile Pompe Disease

Gillette's Impact

Gillette Children's has been a cornerstone of our journey with Leo since the very beginning. When Leo first began showing signs of decline at just four months old, it was Gillette that helped guide us toward answers. They were the ones who referred us for a genetic panel, which ultimately led to his Pompe disease diagnosis. It was also Gillette’s therapists who first raised red flags to my pediatrician, recognizing that Leo’s failure to thrive could be a sign of something more serious. What has always stood out to me about Gillette is their years of experience, their attention to the small details, and their ability to truly listen to both new and scared parents.

Nicole T.

Family Members
Elijah, Adeline, Jason (Husband)

Hometown
Blaine, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
AP4-HSP (SPG52)

Gillette's Impact
Gillette Children's has allowed us to be parents and not try to be doctors. We have also been included as full members of his care team where our opinions matter.

Jim W.

Family Members
Grace, Judson and Althea

Hometown
LeSueur, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Cerebral Palsy

Gillette's Impact
Gillette creates an environment that does more than support its patients medical needs, it creates a welcoming environment. Our child knows and trusts all of his providers, they share his joys, challenges and empower him in his care.

Tora W.

Family Members
Matt (husband), Blake and Jordyn

Hometown
Maple Grove, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Autism

Gillette's Impact
Our 4 year old son Blake was referred to Gillette when he was 2.5 years old after receiving an autism diagnosis for occupational, physical and speech therapy support. He has made substantial progress since starting treatment and continues to improve each and every week. We are so thankful for his wonderful providers, their thoughtful approach to his therapies and all of the education they provide us as parents!

Jake Y.

Family Members
Brittany (Wife), James, Lucy

Hometown
Waverly, MN

Gillette Child's Diagnosis/Primary Condition
Spinal Muscular Atrophy - Type 2

Gillette's Impact
Our multidisciplinary team at Gillette is fantastic. It is very helpful in our health journey that all of our specialists are in one building and communicate so well with each other. Due to James' diagnosis, neurology is our lead. Dr. Richardson is wonderful because he makes James feel like a person, not just a patient. He shows interest in James at each interaction, which helps reduce anxiety about care and contribute to a more pleasant experience each time we are at Gillette.