Early Birth, Extraordinary Care

95 days.

That’s how long it took to bring baby Kassiani (Kassi) home from the hospital.

In reality, Christine and Billy had waited much longer for their big, beautiful family. Christine had suffered multiple miscarriages before having a beautiful, healthy son and daughter—Demetri and Sophia.

Things were a little different when Kassi came along. Born prematurely at 31 weeks with Down syndrome, Kassi’s troubles were just beginning. She faced heart issues, breathing problems, kidney disease and feeding issues. But with a determined family and a hospital dedicated to caring for children with complex health issues, Kassi’s outlook is bright. The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Institute managed and coordinated her early care, working to build her strength and size so she could thrive on her own.

These days at age 2, Kassi is thriving and loving every minute of her young life.

“Kassiani is amazing. She’s just light,” Christine says with wonder. “She just brings joy to everybody who meets her.”

Kassi has received care from multiple physicians, specialists and therapists at Johns Hopkins All Children’s throughout her young life to get her in such good shape. She remains in physical therapy and requires medical follow-up but her happy parents can’t believe how far she has come.