Free Care Fund: Mazey overcoming health challenges with help of staff at UPMC Children's Hospital
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - We're gearing up for the 69th Annual KDKA-TV Free Care Fund Telethon on Thursday, Dec. 8. The Free Care Fund at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh ensures that no child is ever denied medical care.
In the glow of their family Christmas tree, Maelynn "Mazey" Tribendis and her mother, Kaitlyn, enjoy some mommy-daughter time. The 7-year-old has had quite the battle in the game of life.
"Despite that she is a perfect, amazing kid. She can do everything just like everyone else. She just does it a little bit differently," Kaitlyn said.
Mazey was born 10 weeks prematurely and spent six weeks in the NICU after birth. Within her first two years, she would be diagnosed with cerebral palsy and periventricular leukomalacia, or PVL. It's a result of insufficient blood flow to the brain and impacts motor skills.
"She's the best kid. She makes it super easy. Everything that we do is to make her feel as normal and included as possible," Kaitlyn said.
Mazey has been through a lot in her young life. Several procedures, surgery on her spinal cord at 4, and surgery this past summer on both hips, but it won't slow her down.
"I love seeing everything that she has overcome. It can't be easy," Kaitlyn said about her daughter. "She just takes it all in stride and truly she makes me want to be a better person because of her personality."
Since the age of 4, Mazey's been in a wheelchair, but it doesn't stop her from being a kid. From liking princesses to reading books, she tackles any challenge in front of her. This includes therapy six times a week.
"It has made me, our family, everyone not complain about the little things. I mean watching her work so hard, it makes everyone around her want to be a better person," Kaitlyn said.
Mazey has a wonderful older sister who helps her when she needs that extra helping hand.
"She helps me grab things that I can't reach, and she picks up my markers if I drop them," Mazey said about her sister.
Of course, there's her mom, Kaitlyn, who's been there every step of the way.
"She's the best mommy in the whole wide world," Mazey said about her mother.
Kaitlyn credits the team at UPMC Children's Hospital for all their hard work. She said all the doctors, nurses and staff make it a warm place in what can be a scary time for a child and their family.
"They make it feel more like a home and less like a hospital, and that's all you can ask for," Kaitlyn said.
Even to therapy, staff try to make it fun and enjoyable time for Mazey.
"Throw bananas at you," Mazey said.
"There's foam fruits and vegetables. She throws them to knock down a tower or throws them at mommy," her mother explained.
While it's all laughs, Kaitlyn thanks the UPMC Children's Hospital team for all the work they have done and continue to do for her daughter. She feels the care she received should be available to anyone who needs it, no matter their circumstance.
"We're really lucky to live in Pittsburgh and have Children's," Kaitlyn said.
Mazey continues to win victories in games and in life. She grows stronger every day with the goal of being as mobile and independent as possible. She hopes to be a teacher one day.
You can help make sure kids just like her get the care they need by donating to the Free Care Fund during our 69th Annual Telethon on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 4 until 8 p.m., right here on KDKA-TV.