Key'Monie's Story

Kristina had chronic asthma as a child. Her foster parents often brought her to Children’s National Hospital for treatment. When she was 15, she gave birth to a baby girl, Key'Monie. Kristina and Key'Monie joined our Healthy Generations program. It helps adolescent parents and their children thrive.

“Doctors and staff helped with anything I needed,” says Kristina, now 24. “They made sure I had diapers, transportation and holiday gift cards. They took care of us inside and outside of the hospital.”

Kristina has brought Key'Monie to Children’s National ever since, including recently after a seizure. Doctors diagnosed her with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a disorder related to pressure in the brain. “I was anxious and scared,” Kristina says. “The staff got to the bottom of the problem quickly, told me what to expect and set up a treatment plan.” Child Life specialists helped Key'Monie stay calm during a stressful time. Kristina had additional support from a social worker.

Key'Monie is back at school now, enjoying time with friends and her favorite subject: science. Primary and specialty care locations at our Research and Innovation Campus and at Takoma Theatre mean world-class care close to home. “Children’s National has brought the best possible pediatric care to our neighborhood, and that means a lot,” Kristina says. “I wouldn’t take my daughter anywhere else.”