Ashlynn's Story

Our daughter Ashlynn Elise Hill is a patient at UNC Children’s Hospital. At birth, Ashlynn was born with 2 holes in her heart, a heart murmur, and Horner’s syndrome. At 2 months old, Ashlynn went into cardiac arrest. After many tests and 2 different hospitals, UNC admitted Ashlynn for observation. She was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome. (In which her heart would stop beating) and a pacemaker was surgically placed.

Months following her initial visit at UNC, Ashlynn stopped eating her baby food and drinking breast milk. All she did was cry. Ashlynn stayed sick. Her local pediatrician kept saying she just has a virus. After 2 weeks of vomiting, Ashlynn was again admitted to UNC. She stayed for 6 weeks and was diagnosed as a failure to thrive. A g tube was placed. In October 2008, Ashlynn was diagnosed with a rare Mitochondrial Disorder which is the underlining cause of her health problems. Since then, she has had 2 other surgeries to repair a Paraesophageal hernia and Nissin for her reflux. She will be going in for another surgery this July.

Her Mitochondrial disease is something she will continue to fight her entire life. This disease effects how her food is converted into energy to function from breathing to walking. Daily she takes supplements to maintain a strong immune system. Recently, a wheelchair was ordered to allow her to be an independent 2 year old. She has braces, a stander, and a walker that she used daily. Our family has come to know Me Fine Foundation through UNC. We were told if we ever needed assistance with bills to call Me Fine. As, anyone can imagine, with a sick child in and out if the hospital, things are hard. Thankfully, Me Fine has helped us pay to keep out car, car insurance, and utilities on. We are forever grateful to you and pray for your foundation daily. May God continue to bless Me Fine and all its volunteers.