Race for Our Kids 2019-Meet Maui Vance
Maui Vance's mother, Tamika Carrington, learned Maui had sickle cell disease while she was still pregnant with her. Born at Sinai Hospital, Maui has been coming to the Herman & Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital since she was an infant.
Battling sickle cell disease her entire life, Maui has faced challenges that most children her age don't have to experience. Managing the pain that comes with her disease grew easier throughout her elementary school years. But last Thanksgiving, during her freshman year at Overlea High School in Baltimore, she woke up feeling like her body was shutting down. Later that night, she was admitted to the emergency room and underwent emergency surgery to remove an intracranial aneurysm.
The surgery was a success, but Maui spent the next two months at Sinai, bedridden and unable to stand or walk. "I had to re-learn how to walk, which was really hard," Maui says. "I wanted to give up, but I didn't."
With determination, an optimistic spirit and ongoing support from Drs. Jennie Hart, Jason Fixler and Yoram Unguru, Maui was soon back on her feet. Amazingly, what was expected to be a six-month recovery process was reduced to only two months.
Still, two months in the hospital and out of school took a toll on the normally energetic and fun- loving teen. Maui credits Sinai Hospital art therapist Danielle Eichner with being a beacon of light during what was a painful recovery process. Together, they painted, made bracelets and keychains, and did other art activities.
Maui returned to school in February, catching up on schoolwork and re-adjusting with the help of her school counselor. When she's not in school, Maui, now 15, has sleepovers and goes to the mall with close friends who are a great support system and FaceTime with her regularly. She also loves painting, dancing, and rooting for the Baltimore Ravens.
Through it all, Maui remains engaged and animated. Even after spending two days in the hospital with a cold, Maui didn't hesitate to jump in front of the camera and pose confidently for her Race for Our Kids "Super Star" photoshoot. Maui and her family are especially grateful to the nurses, physicians and staff in the pediatric hematology/oncology department.
Join Maui at the 15th annual Race for Our Kids on Sunday, Oct. 6 as we celebrate her and the ongoing care and compassion she and so many other kids have received from the team at Sinai.