Testimonials
“Our daughter was born 6 weeks early with Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and a grade 4 (out of 5) intraventricular hemorrhage. While our daughter was fighting for her life in the NICU, my husband and I felt helpless as we watched her try to eat, breath, and maintain her temp all on her own. Every day seemed like there was a new mountain she needed to climb. The doctors would give us diagnoses but had no information on what that meant for our daughter or how it would affect her. Then one day while we were visiting her in the NICU, one of our nurses shared with us that there was a research study going on just down the street at our very own, top of the line university.
They were studying baby brains and the effects that early trauma had on them. And they were the only team in the world doing it! We decided to have our daughter take part in the study because we wanted to help other kids and parents that went through the same roller coaster we did; a path that no child or parent should ever have to take. We weren’t sure what to expect, but the team was so incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and prepared. They listened to us, they heard our fears, they went at Evie’s pace, and never pushed her into doing anything she wasn’t willing to do. While they didn’t know what our daughter’s diagnosis’s would mean either for her future, they were able to help us gather information through their MRI findings, therapy assessments, and an immense amount of pediatric brain trauma experience.
Each and every person on the team has a wealth of experience in pediatrics and each time our daughter came to visit, we were reassured that she was on the right path for her development. Fast forward 2 years, our daughter is thriving, growing, and looking at her, you would have no idea about all that she went through so early in life. Part of this is due to the Baby Brain Study helping us through some of the hardest moments of our life, and we will be forever grateful for this remarkable team and what they are working to accomplish. ”
-Family of Study Participant
“As parents, it’s hard to put into words what it means to witness even the smallest signs of progress after our newborn experienced a brain injury at birth. Each day brings challenges, but being part of the Baby Brain Recovery Study gave us a window into the incredible potential of neuroplasticity. It guided our search for early, intensive therapies and inspired us to engage in a therapeutic study that helped shape the child Roxanne is today.
The team treated Roxanne with such care, curiosity, and respect. They didn’t just see data points—they saw her.
Although our child’s brain injury is devastating, we are incredibly grateful to Dr. Gillick and the entire Baby Brain Recovery Study team for giving us the chance to contribute to research that we hope will improve outcomes for the next child and family facing this journey.
Today, Roxanne is a happy, curious little girl who loves being outside and swinging—bringing joy to everyone around her.”
– Mother of Study Participant
“Our son Oliver was born with a brain injury during delivery and spent time at Children’s Hospital in Madison where we learned about this study. We wanted to participate to help Oliver and future children. Everyone was wonderful to work with and gave us a lot of support and were very accommodating. I can’t say enough how friendly everyone was and how important studies are. ”
-Family of Study Participant
“Calum was born at 28 weeks 6 days and unfortunately had a brain bleed during his NICU stay. Working with researchers to help better understand the brain and neuroplasticity is the only hope science has of learning more about the brain and helping future babies/families like ours. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Pediatric Neuromodulation Lab research team as a silver lining to Calum’s diagnosis.”
– Moriah, Mother of Study Participant
“My name is Hannah. I am currently 23 years old and participated in the studies when I was just starting high school and did several studies throughout my high school years. I have two amazing boys and an amazing support system.
Participating in the studies not only gave me more strength in my left side, but it gave me the ability and confidence to take care of my boys. If not for the studies and the therapy I received I don’t think I would have as much function as I do in my left hand. When I got approached to do the very first study I was definitely skeptical just because I didn’t think I would get a lot out of it. After the first one I was definitely intrigued and wanted to learn more and do more so that other people could get out of this what I was. I met so many amazing and kind people from doing these studies. Not only the staff like Bernadette, but also some other participants when doing the camp. Before starting I had limited function in my left hand. I was very use to and adapted to using my right hand for a lot of daily tasks. Now even years later I’ve now gotten the ability to use my left hand in the things I use to do with just my right. You never know when certain things come your way, but being approached and participating in these studies has been one of the best experiences and outcome for my life. I can do things now that I wasn’t able to do before and for that I say thank you.”
— Hannah, Study Participant
“When we were given the devastating news about Emma’s brain injury shortly after birth, neuroplasticity gave us hope. Emma’s remarkable recovery journey included many interventions but rehab therapies were vital. Participating in Dr. Gillick’s research camp was a fun way for Emma to receive cutting-edge therapy and give back to the therapy community that gave her so much.”
— Bridget, Mother of Study Participant
“The reason I got involved with the Gillick Lab Studies is that I wanted to contribute to the research to improve the lives of kids like me. I met new people and had fun while doing therapy which I always find helpful in keeping my right hand functioning at its best.”
— Emma, Study Participant
“We enjoyed working with Bernadette and her team’s research efforts by having our daughter participate in several different assessments. Every single team member was always welcoming, kind, and sincere in the work they were doing. They were very flexible at accommodating our schedules and even stayed in the lab past midnight to complete a test while our daughter (finally) fell asleep! Their humor and compassion added to the positive experience and we have enjoyed staying in touch throughout the years.”
— Amanda and Eric S., Parents of Infant Participant
“Working with Bernadette and her team was a great experience. They were very flexible and adjusted things to fit our needs. I felt very welcomed in their lab.”
— Parent of Infant with Perinatal Stroke
“[I’d like to share that I have] the ability to work with what the man upstairs gave me. Worked at my dream job in high school and pushed myself to get into the career I wanted (lots of challenges). Mom and Dad are my biggest supporters always said there is no I can’t it’s always I can.”
Why did I get involved in the Gillick Lab Studies? “It was new and different it might not help me, but i hope it might make a difference in someone else’s life/future.”
What did I like about being involved in research? “Education and meeting people and hearing their stories!”
What are my recommendations or other thoughts? “Keep on doing what you do best Research! And most importantly have fun doing it.”
— Dalton, Study Participant
“It was a privilege to work with such enthusiastic individuals, I learned a lot and was happy to contribute to this research.” — Torrey, Mother of Infant Participant
“More information is never a bad thing, learn more, why not participate?” — Mother of infant participant in the NICU