Fifteen-Year-Old Brandon Smart to be Discharged from Franciscan Children’s and Reunited with Family in Maine

***MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY***

Brandon relies on Medicaid for the health care he needs; his family and Franciscan Children’s encourage others to share his story with their legislators

WHO/WHAT: On Thursday, July 6, 15-year-old Brandon Smart from Howland, Maine, will be discharged from Franciscan Children’s, where he has been treated as a part of the Inpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation Program. Brandon has been a fighter from the beginning; born prematurely at just 28 weeks, declared blind and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy before his first birthday. Last year, Brandon spent four months in a hospital in Bangor, receiving acute care treatment for infected pressure ulcers and broken bones in his legs. He was eventually transferred to Franciscan Children’s, where he has spent the last four months receiving rehabilitative therapies with the ultimate goal of going home to be reunited with his family.

The Smart family has private insurance, but relies on federal Medicaid funding to supplement coverage of Brandon’s extensive medical expenses and nursing care. Given the recent changes proposed to the Medicaid program, Denise Smart invites legislators to meet her son in order to get to know him, who he is and to see who would be impacted by cutting funding from this program.

Brandon’s mother Denise says Franciscan Children’s has helped her to finally see “the light at the end of the tunnel.” She credits his progress to the support of the Franciscan Children’s health care team and their family and friends. Fighter Brandon has finally reached his goal of returning home this Thursday. Brandon and his family will be available for interviews, along with Dr. Elisabeth Schainker of his Franciscan Children’s care team and CEO John D. Nash, who can speak to the importance of Medicaid to Franciscan Children’s.  

WHEN:       Thursday, July 6, 2017 10 a.m 

WHERE:     Franciscan Children’s
                     30 Warren Street            
                     Brighton, MA 02135

**Media should park in Parking Lot B and check in at the main reception desk.**

About Franciscan Children’s

Located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Franciscan Children’s provides a compassionate and positive environment where children with complex medical, mental health and educational needs receive specialized care from people who are committed to excellence, innovation and family support, so that children can reach their fullest potential and live their best life. Franciscan Children’s is a 2017 Boston Parents Reader’s Choice Family Favorites Award Winner for Health and Special Needs Summer Camps, Learning Disabilities Specialists and Mental Health Practices. For more information visit FranciscanChildrens.org, find it on Facebook or follow it on Twitter at @FranciscanHFC and Instagram at @franciscanchildrens.

Media Contact:               

Mary Zanor, Regan Communications
617-356-4012 (mobile)
mzanor@regancomm.com