Maryjane was born at 26 weeks weighing only 1.8 pounds at DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Due to her prematurity, she was diagnosed with lung disease (Bronchopulmonary dysplasia aka BPD) and was immediately put on ventilator support. Days became weeks and it became difficult for the hospital to find stability for her. After 5 months, Maryjane’s Mom and Dad made the calculated decision to transport her via medflight to a Columbus, Ohio BPD clinic to hopefully overcome these massive obstacles- - 11 more months went by inpatient at the Ohio BPD clinic - learning...and failing. It became apparent to Mom and Dad that Maryjane was stuck in a category of an almost purgatory-like medical existence and now diagnosed with Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM or collapse of airway).

 

There was no hope for a discharge with ‘ventilator settings’ at such high levels and no end in sight. Mom and Dad made another critical decision and Maryjane was medflighted to Boston Children's Hospital in hopes of receiving an answer to a prayer. Finally, stability was found at Boston Children’s through philosophy and proper ventilator management. The success in Boston quickly spurred Maryjane’s parents to create a team of personally handpicked medical professionals to transition Maryjane home. Using every bit of knowledge gained during her 594 days inpatient, the Fliehmans successfully and against all odds, brought their baby girl home as the HIGHEST ventilated pediatric patient discharged in the nation. Maryjane recently celebrated her 3rd birthday and first year home! She has since progressed by leaps and bounds and is no longer categorized as high pressure. She will be off of her ventilator soon achieving the impossible.

Maryjanes journey moved the Fliehman Family to create the Breath Foundation- dedicated to improving the lives of trached and vented babies. Through philosophy, innovative research, medical funding and teaming with a spectrum of professionals more babies just like Maryjane can have the opportunity to come home where they belong.