Our stories

Helping Children Live Their Best Lives Through Mobility and Independence

Meet France Bidal, an Occupational Therapist in Seating and Mobility.

Every child deserves to reach their full potential. This belief drives France Bidal in her work as an Occupational Therapist (OT) at CHEO.

For nearly 20 years, France has been helping children and youth gain independence through specialized mobility equipment. From custom wheelchairs to adaptive car seats, she empowers young people to move, explore and experience the world on their own terms

“I feel so lucky to witness these kids’...

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Newly renovated CHEO MRI suite to scan more kids sooner

Following months of construction, the newly renovated CHEO MRI suite is up and running, offering new décor, enhanced space to improve the patient experience and eventually shorten wait times.

The new suite is also home to a new GE SIGNA Artist Evo MRI magnet, which offers more accurate and timely diagnosis, leveraging innovative new AI Deep learning technology scanning through the new higher resolution images. 

“This new MRI will save time and offers more details than ever before. "This is a true game-changer,” said...

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A CHEO doctor’s eye-opening year: From a new kidney to the Transplant Games

As a CHEO nephrologist, Dr. Jennifer Vethamuthu treats children and youth whose kidneys have forced them on dialysis and needing a transplant.

What most of her patients and families don't know was that she also has a condition that required a kidney transplant.

Vethamuthu was in poor health. Then in December 2023, she received a new kidney from a living donor, which she calls a life-changing experience.

Her health struggles, as well as the procedure, gave Vethamuthu a unique sightline.

“It was definitely an eye opener … in...

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CHEO community care program helps kids get back to school for 3 years running

For Wyatt Scott, September brings more than just the usual back-to-school jitters. 

At 11 years old, he grapples with unique physical and emotional hurdles stemming from brainstem dysgenesis, a rare genetic condition that impacts his central nervous system. This condition demands full-time care, particularly during meals, as Wyatt struggles with motor coordination and requires supervision to eat safely.

That means, unlike most kids, he requires a lot of in-school support, including a nurse, physiotherapy and

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Donor-funded headphones help family attend wedding

An Ottawa family was able to attend a momentous, once-in-a-lifetime event thanks to the can-do attitude and swift action by a CHEO social worker and her team.

Atreus Samra, who just turned six, was recently diagnosed with autism. He has significant sensory challenges that, for Atreus, means he doesn’t sleep very much, and he is very sensitive to stimuli like noise and water.

Atreus also requires a strict routine. For example, the family must do groceries on the same day, at the same location, each week.

“He likes consistency...

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