Lindsay Hettasch
Lindsay’s troubles started in the womb. Diane, her mother, was 20 weeks pregnant with identical twins when she was diagnosed with a rare condition called Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Diane endured several hospital stays, 5 amniotic reductions and was put on bed rest for the remaining time of the pregnancy. At 32 1/2 weeks, the babies were delivered. Lindsay stayed in the neo-natal intensive care unit at Loyola for 6 weeks. Doctors quickly diagnosed Lindsay with microcephaly (abnormally small head). Fast forward 1 year, and Lindsay is diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Diane and Ed responded quickly and saw the need for Lindsay to be immersed in a variety of therapies from that point forward. Lindsay attended a phenomenal program for five years at The Center For Independence Through Conductive Education in Countryside, Illinois. It is an intensive motor program concept from Hungary that focuses on daily living skills. Lindsay is currently unable to attend due to diminished physical endurance from constant uncontrolled seizure activity. This is a characteristic of the seizure disorder called Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome that she was diagnosed with in June 2005. She struggles with reduced head and trunk control, which were not as much of a problem before. She recently made the transition to a full day multi-needs program in the area which more appropriately handles her medical needs.
Daily seizures, tolerating all the seizure medications, oral motor issues, infections and surgeries continue to pose challenges for her. She has been declared as developmentally delayed. Summer 2005 closed with Lindsay successfully acquiring a feeding tube which hopefully will boost her weight from 30 lbs. at 7 years old, to a better one, we pray. Her smile is still her best communication skill and she inspires us all with her determination.

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Hannah Hettasch
Hannah's development was also severely affected by Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Hannah has received speech and occupational therapy for over a year and more recently suffers from severe anxiety issues. She continues with several medications and some counseling to assist her with these ongoing problems. As recently as this past summer, doctors diagnosed her with ADHD and a seizure disorder, but she goes to school and somehow gets all her needs met by a devoted mom and dad who coordinate her many doctors’ visits and therapy sessions.

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