2016 Speak Now For Kids Family Advocacy Day Hero: Avery

Avery Wilson would not be alive today if it was not for the care he received at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

When Avery was four years old he suffered a stroke as a result of an undiagnosed rare genetic disorder known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) which is characterized by abnormal blood vessels throughout the body. Avery spent eight days in critical care experiencing seizures. His entire right side was paralyzed, he drooled profusely, and could not speak correctly. The doctors told Avery’s parents their little boy would not recover for months, maybe even years. Jessica and Wayne were devastated and cried and felt sorry for themselves for days; however, they knew that they had to push Avery to fight. Ten days after Avery’s stroke he defied the odds and walked into school.

Avery’s neurosurgeon conducted an MRI and did not see any further arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) which caused the stroke, but referred him to Dr. Burrows at Children’s because of her national expertise in diagnosis and treating vascular malformations. Dr. Burrows evaluated Avery and identified at least three more AVMs in his lung and brain. To date, Avery has undergone a scope procedure at Children’s to have an AVM in his lung treated and will undergo surgery this year to explore the AVMs in his brain. He will continue to receive care at Children’s to treat his condition.

Avery is an energetic five-year old who enjoys running, racing, and wants to be a fireman or policeman when he grows up. Avery will struggle the rest of his life because of his condition, but he is a fighter and nothing will slow him down.