When Dan and Meghan’s 5-year old son Ryan was born with a rare genetic disorder that causes severe developmental delays—they didn’t know where to turn. Seizures, surgeries, and sleepless nights due to respiratory issues required constant hospital stays in the first six months of Ryan’s life, which took a toll on the young parents. 

“I spent so much time on the phone dealing with insurance companies and coordinating doctor’s appointments that I wasn’t able to spend quality time with my newborn,” says Meghan. 

With their hospital over an hour away and with Ryan requiring large, heavy equipment to help with the respiratory issues, Meghan and Dan began searching for extra support as they continued to see multiple specialists. Social media research led them to a specialty that helps children and their families deal with all aspects of a serious illness.

This is Ryan’s palliative care story.

Hosted by Dan Altano

A Quality Life: Ryan's Pediatric Palliative Care Story

GetPalliativeCare.org's podcast, A Quality Life, tells the real-life stories of people living with a serious illness, and their families. Each episode explores how palliative care specialists have helped to manage the symptoms and stress of their serious illness, and improve quality of life

A Quality Life: Ryan's Pediatric Palliative Care Story

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