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Throwback Thursday – Patient Champion Osh is All Grown Up!

Picture a 12 year old boy who loved playing football and had vivid dreams of playing for the NFL.  Then one day, those dreams quickly fade away.  I’shallar (Osh) was 12-years old when he was first admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital with a football injury that hindered his ability to play the game he loved.  While Osh underwent therapy to build back his strength and endurance, he was not able to be as physically active as he was prior to coming to Nationwide Children’s.    His lack of movement caused him to gain weight and lead to another issue that he needed help with.  Osh was diagnosed with elevated hemoglobin A1c (a precursor to diabetes) and anemia.  Osh’s mom, Linda says, “I was scared and worried about my son’s health and future.  We needed real help and fast.  Boy did we get top quality help I never knew could exist.  The staff at Nationwide Children’s helped my son and my entire family.”

Osh took part in the Healthy Weight New U Program at the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s.  This program offers a comprehensive approach to weight management in children, including programs for both prevention and treatment.  Being overweight can trigger several other health conditions such as Type II diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, sleep apnea and so much more.

With the help of the many programs and treatments provided at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Osh was able to get back to the game he loves and continue to pursue his dream of being a part of the NFL.  He graduates in a couple of days with both sports and academic scholarships.  He was also awarded the “Cats with Class” honor for his leadership in and out of the classroom and Student of the Month for his senior year.  “We owe so much to Nationwide Children’s , the treatment he got helped catapult him into endless opportunities that have been and still are opening doors for him”, says Linda.

Osh has supported the hospital by being a patient champion during several events including the Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Telethon.

CONGRATULATIONS OSH!