Kiko M Track and Field Athlete

"In 2008, at the age of, 3, Kiko was chosen to represent New Jersey and Children’s Specialized Hospital as the 2008 Champions Across America program."

He’s All Heart –Beating The Odds Against His Seizure Disorder

When he was seven months old, Kiko Mina had half his brain removed in an effort to control frequent and devastating seizures. Kiko, now a teenager, was diagnosed with a rare seizure disorder called hemimegalencephaly when he was an infant. His seizures took various forms and worsened by the day. When two prior surgeries did not provide sufficient relief, his doctors recommended hemispherectomy. When done early in life, this procedure can take advantage of the brain's plasticity, the ability of one side to take over the functions of the other.

Yet today, several years after his surgery, Kiko is thriving. He’s enjoying life free of seizures. Right after his surgery, Kiko was admitted to Children’s Specialized Hospital’s inpatient hospital in Mountainside for intensive rehabilitation. There he stayed for several weeks, learning how to walk and use his arms and legs again.

After his stay as an inpatient, Kiko was transitioned to outpatient therapy - physical, occupational and speech therapy – as well as extensive summer programs including the hospital’s BECOME Program[MR1] ; a camp that provides Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIT) for up to six hours a day, five days a week, for three weeks. CIT involves “constraining” the strong or unaffected arm using a removable cast. This approach allows the child to only use their affected or weaker arm during play activities.

Kiko can run and keep up with his class mates – he competes on the Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Lighting Wheels Wheelchair Sports Team! Kiko is moving forward with the help of the experts at Children’s Specialized Hospital.

In 2008, at the age of, 3, Kiko was chosen to represent New Jersey and Children’s Specialized Hospital as the 2008 Champions Across America program. Champions are selected annually from children’s hospitals affiliated with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) to act as ambassadors to the media and the public. They represent millions of other children treated annually in children’s hospital across North America.

Kiko M Track and Field Athlete

"In 2008, at the age of, 3, Kiko was chosen to represent New Jersey and Children’s Specialized Hospital as the 2008 Champions Across America program."

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"In 2008, at the age of, 3, Kiko was chosen to represent New Jersey and Children’s Specialized Hospital as the 2008 Champions Across America program."

Quick Links

General Information

Patients & Visitors

Treatment & Care

Employees

Health Care Professionals

Local Supplier Diversity

Subcontractor Prequalification