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Michele Stevenson, a mother from Genesee County, is raising awareness about the importance of flu vaccinations after her son, Kaden, faced a life-threatening battle with influenza A and strep throat. In December 2022, Kaden became severely ill, leading to the loss of both his legs.
“They let me know how sick my son was and that he may not make it through the night,” Stevenson said, recalling the terrifying moment when doctors informed her of Kaden’s critical condition.
Initially, Kaden’s symptoms appeared mild, resembling a common cold. However, his condition rapidly deteriorated, prompting Stevenson to seek medical help at Hurley Medical Center. He was soon transferred to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, where doctors fought to save his life as he went into septic shock and experienced organ failure.
“I’ve never been that scared in my life before. My son is my best friend,” Stevenson said.
Despite the challenges, Kaden’s resilience shone through. Before his illness, he was active in sports like soccer and karate. Now, he has embraced wheelchair basketball and attended a wheelchair sports camp, where he made new friends and gained confidence.
“I watched him go from this like, very shy held back kid, to like, by the end of the camp, he was like, all over the place,” Stevenson said.
Stevenson, now a board member of Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit, is determined to share her story to emphasize the seriousness of the flu.
“The biggest thing is, watch your kids, pay attention to your kids, and then, when in doubt, check it out, take them to the hospital,” she advised parents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 27 pediatric deaths so far this flu season, underscoring the potential dangers of the illness. Stevenson hopes her advocacy will help save lives by encouraging timely vaccinations and awareness.