Mile 77

When Alex and Dane Dishon learned during pregnancy that their baby’s heart wasn’t developing properly, they made the decision to deliver in Baton Rouge and place their trust in Manning Family Children’s for life-saving care. After Dylan’s birth, he was transferred to the hospital where the Dishons learned the extent of his complex heart defects. Within his first five months, Dylan underwent three major open-heart surgeries, spending 71 days in the cardiac intensive care unit. His parents, living in an RV on the hospital campus, navigated a rollercoaster of hope and fear as their newborn fought to survive.

After returning home, the family was adjusting to their new normal when Dylan began experiencing seizures. Further testing revealed that he had suffered a massive stroke as an infant, likely due to time spent on ECMO, a heart-lung bypass machine. The stroke left him with epilepsy, muscle weakness on his left side, and cognitive challenges. The Dishons became regulars at Manning Family Children’s as Dylan began a lifelong journey of specialist visits, therapies, and follow-ups.

Now 14, Dylan continues to show strength and resilience, embracing life and spreading joy throughout the hospital he considers a second home. From cardiology and neurology to physical therapy and beyond, his care team has grown alongside him. Though his journey has been filled with challenges, it’s also been marked by joyful moments, from Miracle League baseball to unforgettable hospital visits, all surrounded by a team that believes in his potential.