Katie and Ryan Gerrity anxiously awaited the arrival of their twin daughters in early 2022.
When Katie reached 32 weeks gestation, the Gerritys learned that one of the girls had restricted growth and needed immediate medical care. On 2-22-22, Addison and her sister Rylee were welcomed into the world.
Rylee, who weighed three pounds less than her twin, was quickly transported to the NICU to receive care for breathing issues and kidney concerns. For the next 114 days, she remained in the NICU, healing, growing and ultimately undergoing a tracheotomy surgery to help her breathe.
After graduating from the NICU, Rylee was transferred to Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Emily Howatt Pliskatt Pediatric Unit in Bethlehem to receive specialized rehabilitation services under the guidance of Kimberly Kuchinski, MD, MPH, medical director of pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Watch the Gerrity family’s story:
At the Pediatric Unit, Rylee received one hour each of physical, occupational and speech therapy six days a week. As a result, she continued to thrive. Her parents felt overjoyed at their daughter’s progress, which Katie greatly attributes to the incredible care Rylee received from her team.
“Within a week of Rylee being at Good Shepherd, I was able to take a breath for the first time since she was born. The staff was so friendly, and the environment felt more like home than a hospital. I knew Rylee was safe and in the best hands at Good Shepherd.”
Katie Gerrity
Katie formed an especially strong bond with Chris, one of Rylee’s respiratory therapists. From the first day they met, Chris treated Rylee like she was her own child — and provided Katie and Ryan with vital education and training that they would need when Rylee came home. At almost 7 months old, Rylee was discharged from Good Shepherd. To ensure her continued progress, she went home with a full care plan, follow-up appointments and in-home nursing already set up.
Katie and Ryan are in awe of Rylee’s strength and resiliency. They also are immensely grateful for the members of her dedicated care team that went from strangers, to trusted friends, to family in just 83 days. Katie and Ryan remain in close contact with members of Rylee’s team, especially Chris.
Today, Rylee continues to grow, thrive and meet milestones thanks to the outpatient therapy she receives five days each week at the Hyland Center for Health & Technology in Allentown. Her parents now realize their chosen career paths as a teacher and first responder prepared them perfectly for being parents to Rylee and Addison.
“Within a week of Rylee being at Good Shepherd, I was able to take a breath for the first time since she was born,” Katie said. “The staff was so friendly, and the environment felt more like home than a hospital. I knew Rylee was safe and in the best hands at Good Shepherd.”
Read more about the services and technologies available at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation for inpatient and outpatient pediatric patients.
Learn about ways you can support the Pediatric Unit.