Asher Chmiel
Age 7
Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital
Dandy Walker Malformation
The first thing most people notice about Asher Chmiel is his beautiful thick, brown, curly hair. No one has ever walked up to him without running their hands through it. And he loves it. This brings out the next things people notice about Asher—his huge infectious smile and bubbly laugh. And although Asher is non-verbal, he communicates through the universal language of happiness and acceptance.
Asher’s contagious personality may be surprising to some given all he’s been through. Asher was born with Dandy Walker Malformation, an underdeveloped cerebellum, which delays development and prevents him from walking or talking. Asher has also been diagnosed with autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
Since birth, 7-year-old Asher has been treated at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, where doctors and nurses have worked tirelessly to give him a normal life. When he’s in the hospital, he works his “magic,” charming his doctors and nurses and lifting the spirits of those who come to visit him. They see his spirit and joy and in turn are inspired.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
About Walmart and Sam's Club
Wal-Mart has supported Children’s Miracle Network since 1987. Since then, Children’s Miracle Network and Wal-Mart have worked tirelessly together to help children by raising money for children’s hospitals. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised more than $460 million for children’s hospitals during the relationship. This is the first year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions Across America program.
Champions Across America presented by Walmart and Sam's Club
Champions Across America presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club is a Children's Miracle Network program that brings attention to the important work being done at children’s hospitals by honoring remarkable children who have faced severe medical challenges.
The Champions Across America program designates a Champion child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals every year. The 2009 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including brittle bone disease, brain tumors and cerebral palsy, as well as surviving car accidents and plane crashes.
As part of Champions Across America, the Champions travel for a week – first to Florida to meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsors, hospital and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort. The group will then travel to Washington, D.C., where Champions traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to The White House.
The Champions Across America program designates a Champion child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals every year. The 2009 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including brittle bone disease, brain tumors and cerebral palsy, as well as surviving car accidents and plane crashes.
As part of Champions Across America, the Champions travel for a week – first to Florida to meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsors, hospital and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort. The group will then travel to Washington, D.C., where Champions traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to The White House.
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