Tessa Watson, Centre Hall
Tessa was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone syndrome, which led to multiple fractures while she was a baby and toddler. She was treated by Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital orthopaedic specialists.
Her mother found treatment that could help strengthen her bones, but the infusions are only administered at a few medical centers on the East Coast. Her pediatrician at Geisinger Gray’s Woods helped coordinate the care to allow Tessa to receive the treatments. Tessa received infusions to temporarily strengthen her bones, allowing her to concentrate on important things like twirling a baton, cheerleading and being a kid.
Donations to Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital have provided the pediatric orthopaedic department with special car seats that Tessa’s family used when she was stuck in body casts as an infant.
Watch Tessa’s story:
