BEHIND EVERY WAVE
Alora’s Next Steps
Like any toddler, Alora keeps her mom, Sarah, on her toes. She’s curious, playful, and full of energy, but along with the usual toddler mischief, Sarah also keeps a close watch on Alora’s trach and G-tube.
Born prematurely with health complications, Alora spent her first five months in the NICU and underwent a double procedure to place both her trach and G-tube. Those early days were overwhelming, but with the guidance of doctors, nurses, and her Wave respiratory therapist Marco, Sarah found the support and confidence she needed.
“Marco would take the time to meet us at appointments and make sure I felt prepared,” Sarah shared. “He knew I was scared, and he helped us come up with a plan.”
Today, Alora is thriving, she recently took her very first steps, and she’s on track to have her trach removed soon. Sarah has grown right alongside her daughter, stepping into her role as a strong advocate and loving caregiver.
What began as a frightening journey has become a story of resilience, joy, and growth. At Wave Healthcare, we’re proud to walk beside families like Sarah’s, offering expertise that feels approachable and care that helps kids like Alora keep moving forward, one step, one smile, one milestone at a time.
Audrie's Sunshine
Audrie’s journey has never been simple, but it has always been full of light. Born with a rare condition that affected her joints and muscles, and later facing the impact of bacterial meningitis, Audrie has overcome more in her 14 years than most face in a lifetime. Ventilators, trachs, and countless hospital stays have been part of her story, but so has her smile, the kind of smile that lights up every room and earned her the nickname “Sunshine.”
This past summer brought one of her toughest battles yet, but true to who she is, Audrie faced it with resilience and grace. Surrounded by family, faith, and the support of her care team, she pulled through once again, reminding everyone around her that hope is stronger than fear.
Today, Audrie continues to inspire. She teaches those who know her to celebrate small victories, lean on community, and find joy even on the hard days. Her story is one of courage, perseverance, and unconditional love, a reminder that every child’s light deserves to shine.
At Wave Healthcare, we are honored to be part of stories like Audrie’s, stories that show us the power of faith, family, and compassionate care. Because behind every piece of equipment is a child with a future, and behind every journey is a reason to believe in hope.
Watson's Brave Beginning
When Watson’s mom first learned there might be complications in her pregnancy, she never imagined the journey ahead. Born at 37 weeks, Watson was full of sweetness from the start, but his little heart and lungs needed extra care. After weeks in the NICU, multiple surgeries, and countless ups and downs, his mom never stopped advocating for him, pushing for answers and making sure Watson got the care he truly needed.
Along the way, Wave Healthcare became part of his story. After trying another company, Watson’s family returned to Wave because, in his mom’s words, “they always made sure everything was right and took time to understand and advocate for my child.” That kind of partnership made all the difference.
Today, Watson is thriving. He’s walking, he’s starting school this fall, and true to his spirited personality, he’s a big fan of food. From surgeries and therapies to everyday milestones, his resilience shines through.
Watson’s journey is a reminder that children are stronger than we think, parents are powerful advocates, and with the right support, families can move through even the hardest seasons with hope. At Wave, we’re honored to walk alongside families like Watson’s, celebrating every step forward, every bite enjoyed, and every bright milestone ahead.
Ryan Mann's Story
As the youngest of six siblings, Ryan came into the world fully loved by a big group of people. They rallied around him as he spent a couple weeks in the NICU. After a time, the doctors sent him home without a diagnosis.
Some of his symptoms included seizures and scoliosis, but he tested negative for all the genetic issues doctors hypothesized. Over time, his loved ones concluded that they didn’t need a label to know how to best care for him, Ryan’s mom Tina said.
Part of that care required a durable medical equipment provider. Tina found Wave Healthcare when Ryan was about two years old. Wave provided his formula and later helped with pulmonary needs. Tina called her random DME selection a “huge blessing.”
“The entire healthcare team has always been so helpful, making it easier to take care of Ryan.”
Ryan didn’t have a diagnosis until after he turned 15 years old. Eventually, doctors repeated a test that showed Ryan has Pallister-Killian Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. The diagnosis was the perfect fit for Ryan’s symptoms. While it didn’t give them any new information, Tina said it offered a possible prognosis and a community.
“[The diagnosis] is nice to have. It gives us a community of people, and it gave us a label… but at this point we’ve come to accept that he’s Ryan. We just try to help him live life to his very fullest and try to move forward with that.”
“Living life to the fullest” takes a little extra work compared to other teenagers, but the activities are similar. Tina said Ryan loves adventures and always looks forward to exploring new places. Some of his favorite outings include the Doseum, the zoo, and the botanical gardens.
“He just wants to be involved in everything,” Tina said.
And like all teenagers, he especially wants to be involved in whatever his friends are up to. He also has moments of sass, but Tina said it’s always in good fun. When Ryan’s annoyed with her, he’s started calling her “Mrs. Potato Head” through his speaking device.
This point of normalcy came after some hard times. Tina said that’s something that would have given her past self some hope early on.
“Things will start to feel normal. You will find your normal. It may be really different from what you imagined, but you will find a normal, and it will be good. Every day won’t feel hard. That’s important to remember in the beginning.”
Through the good times, hard times, and mundane times, Ryan’s support group will care for him as best they can, and he will supply the adventure (and occasional sass).
Behind every wave, there is a story worth telling. A series created to honor the journeys of our patients, their resilience, their challenges, & their triumphs.
Through #BehindEveryWave, we share the voices that inspire us every day, reminding us that care is more than treatment, it’s about people, their strength, and the hope that carries them forward.
Contact Wave Healthcare
Pediatric DME Specializing in Respiratory and Enteral Care
For questions about our respiratory and enteral home care services, our home medical equipment, or to inquire about referrals, contact Wave Healthcare, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.
