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Grace Hull is running for Boston Children’s Hospital, and the support given to patients like her daughter

"I've joined the Miles for Miracles team because I believe so strongly in all the amazing things Boston Children's Hospital does for kids."

By Maya Gacina

1 minute to read

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. If you’re running the marathon, you can share your #WhyImRunningBoston story here.

Name: Grace Hull
Age: 42
From: Nantucket

Grace Hull carries her daughter on her shoulders
Grace Hull is running with the Miles for Miracles team to raise money for the Boston Children’s Hospital, where her daughter is being treated for autism and ADHD. – Grace Hull

One week before Christmas in 2017, I received my younger daughter Charlotte’s autism spectrum disorder diagnosis from Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH), just three short months after her second birthday.

Nine months earlier, her daycare reached out to me, stating concerns about Charlotte’s difficulties expressing her wants and needs and trouble with transitioning. We received the initial diagnosis from the neurologist, which allowed us to begin the services she so desperately needed.

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A few months later, the Developmental Team at BCH gave Charlotte hours of testing, and the results provided us with a roadmap on her strengths, weaknesses, and how we could help her succeed. These evaluations were so invaluable and helped with her individualized educational plans as well as the other care she received.

We now meet with our physician at BCH every few months to check in, and adjust the course as we need. During one of these appointments, Charlotte also received a diagnosis of ADHD. The team at BCH has always been so supportive and responsive with Charlotte’s needs. Because of this, Charlotte has flourished and is entering kindergarten this fall in a classroom with her peers and limited supports. I’ve joined the Miles for Miracles team because I believe so strongly in all the amazing things Boston Children’s Hospital does for kids. Living on Nantucket, I feel so fortunate knowing that we have a world class hospital that is so accessible.

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Editor’s note: Entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.

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