Wyatt's Story

Wyatt
Age 4
Spina Bifida

Gundersen Lutheran Health System

In many ways Wyatt is a typical boy. He loves wrestling with his big brother, going to school, listening to music and going swimming. However, there is one difference from other 4-year-olds—Wyatt has spina bifida.

When Wyatt was just 7 hours old, he had his first spinal cord surgery. Two days later he had a shunt placed in his brain. Six months after that he had a hydrocele repair and a hernia operation. To say the least, Wyatt and his family have become intimately connected with Gundersen Lutheran Health System and the medical experts who have cared for Wyatt. Several surgeries later, it’s no surprise that when you ask Wyatt what he wants to be when he grows up he confidently tells you “doctor-teacher.”

Wyatt knows he needs to do things a little differently than other kids, but he never let’s that get him down. He maintains a charm and happiness that touches every person he encounters.

About Walmart and Sam’s Club

Wal-Mart has supported Children’s Miracle Network since 1987. Since then, Children’s Miracle Network and Wal-Mart have worked tirelessly together to help children by raising money for children’s hospitals. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised more than $500 million for children’s hospitals during the 23 year relationship. This is the second year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions program.

Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club

Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club is a Children's Miracle Network program that brings attention to the important work being done at children’s hospitals by honoring remarkable children who have faced severe medical challenges.

The Champions program designates a champion child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals every year. The 2010 champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, heart transplants and traumas, as well as life-threatening staph infections.

As part of Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club, the champions travel for a week in June to Washington, D.C., where champions traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. The family then travels to Orlando, Fla., for a second week in November. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsor, hospital and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.