A 5-year-old living with a genetic disorder has made it her mission to help other children in the hospital by giving them a stuffed animal to hold on to during tough days.
With a spring in her step, a smile on her face and her cuddle bear in her backpack Eliana Ferrell was ready to take on the world.
Her enthusiasm and high spirits have made it easy to forget the challenges the little girl faces everyday. "She's missing one X chromosome from every cell of her DNA," her mother, Monica Ferrell said.
Eliana or Ellie for short was born with the Turner Syndrome, a genetic disorder that can lead to a variety of problems including heart defects and growth delays. "She has a team of 12 specialists," Monica said.
All her life, she's been tested, poked and prodded. Hospital visits were becoming too much for Ellie until nurses at Vanderbilt's Childrens' Hospital called in the A-team, or rather a Child Life Specialist.
"We got to have some help here because the nurses couldn't calm her down so they brought them in and I was just amazed that this team existed," Monica explained.
The team was able to calm Ellie down. "It changed everything. From that day forward appointments were not so bad," said Monica.
Ellie also learned just how important it was to have the right hand or paw to hold. She's now on a mission to give every child who needs a little extra care and attention a cuddle bear like hers.
"To help them feel better," said Ellie. She's raising money to give the hospital dozens of bears along with their matching books. "It's about a cuddle bear giving hugs to everyone," Ellie said.
In the mind of a child a few simple words and something to hold can make a big difference. To help Ellie's cause or to learn more about the Turner Syndrome by clicking here.
