Adversity is something Elijah Hill has faced his entire life. The Knoxville teen was born with sickle-cell anemia, an inherited disease commonly found in African-Americans. The disease shortens the life span of red blood cells, resulting in chronic anemia, paleness, weakness, fatigue and severe pain. Elijah also has a rare disease known as Moyamoya, which causes the narrowing of major blood vessels leading into the brain as well as the formation of abnormal blood vessels called Moyamoya vessels.

In 1996, Elijah developed pneumonia and was admitted to Children’s Hospital. Elijah had already experienced several strokes as a result of his Moyamoya disease, and his sickle cell condition was continuing to weaken his body. At the time, he was still in the custody of his biological parents. Six months after recovering from pneumonia, Elijah was back at Children’s Hospital, and it was then when he was introduced to foster parents Deb and Mike Hill. The Hills spent time with him, became his foster parents, and officially adopted Elijah on June 14, 2001.

When Deb first met Elijah at the hospital, she was amazed at the atmosphere the nursing staff had created around him. She could tell the staff cared greatly for Elijah because of their tender and loving approach with him.

“The nurses and doctors were extremely protective of Elijah and were determined to give him the best care possible,” she said.

Once the Hills and the medical staff at Children’s Hospital learned more about Elijah’s condition, they had to weigh their options. Although surgery can correct some of the damage Moyamoya does to blood flow in the brain, it is an incurable disease, and the surgery is not for everyone. The Hills, however, were determined to do anything they could to help Elijah, and working with Doris Wortham, M.D., at Children’s Primary Care Center, they were able to find and convince one of the few Moyamoya experts in the United States that Elijah was an excellent candidate for brain surgery. He eventually underwent two brain surgeries at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville. Elijah hasn’t had a stroke since his second brain surgery a few years ago. He continues to have his follow-up care at Children’s Hospital.

Elijah’s sickle-cell treatment includes red blood cell transfusions every four weeks to help prevent additional strokes, followed by a five-day chelation hookup after each transfusion to remove the iron that has built up in his body. This procedure involves the administration of IV medications through a port in his side 24 hours a day for five consecutive days. With assistance from Children’s Hospital’s Home Health Care, Elijah is able to undergo the chelation hookup at home, which keeps him close to his family and friends in a more comfortable and familiar environment.

“Without Home Health, Elijah would have to be admitted to the hospital five days every month,” said Pam Wilson, clinical coordinator for Children’s Hospital’s Home Health Care. “This is much more convenient and comfortable for both Elijah and his family.”

The Hills couldn’t agree more. They have a special relationship with the staff at Home Health, and they are extremely appreciative of the services they provide.

“Home Health is wonderful,” Deb said. “I definitely think one heals better at home, and I think we’d be in serious trouble without them.”

Elijah is also a patient of the Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center. Nadine Trainer, M.D., pediatric physiatrist at the Rehab Center, has helped Elijah obtain an electric wheelchair, which has given him more mobility and independence, according to his mother.

“It has really opened his world,” she said. “Now when his brothers and sisters go outside to play, he’s right out there with them.”

Despite his health condition and all the adversity he has faced, Elijah approaches life with a smile.

“Eli is amazing,” Deb said. “He is always smiling.”

Pam Wilson expressed the same sentiment. “He has a beaming smile,” she said.