Julian’s journey to a good night’s sleep, powered by generosity

Basketball, track, football, soccer. You name it, and 16-year-old Julian has either participated in these Special Olympics programs at school or cheered on his brothers from the sidelines.

But when the outgoing sports enthusiast suddenly began falling asleep in class at age 11 and waking his mom, Anahi, multiple times a night, alarm bells went off.

Knowing how essential sleep is for children’s growth, development and mood, she sought answers at donor-supported Mary Bridge Children’s Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT), where pediatric specialists help treat conditions that affect sleep, breathing, hearing, swallowing and more.

Julian’s care team removed his adenoids and tonsils, a common first step. When symptoms persisted, a follow-up sleep study revealed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where breathing during sleep is irregular — frequently seen in children and adults with Down syndrome. He tried a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, but it quickly felt too bulky and invasive, given his comfort needs and sensory sensitivities.

After going back and forth with CPAP, Julian’s doctor offered another approach: Inspire therapy.

The Inspire difference

Inspire is an implanted device that helps keep the airway open during sleep without a mask or tubing.

“Inspire therapy addresses the root cause of OSA in many children with Down syndrome — collapse of the tongue into the airway during sleep,” explains Douglas Chieffe, MD. “Inspire therapy achieves this by surgically placing a device that gently stimulates the tongue muscles during sleep.

“After surgery, the device is turned on and programmed during multiple sleep studies,” he continues. “This allows our sleep medicine doctors to find a setting that improves sleep without causing discomfort.”

The only roadblock: No one in South Puget Sound was performing the surgery at the time. That changed when MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital helped bring Inspire to Pierce County so families could access this innovative care closer to home.

At age 13, Julian became one of the first patients in the region to receive the device.

“That was exciting, but like with every other surgery, I was worried,” Anahi remembers. “But I know that he’s always had the best doctors in Tacoma. All of the doctors that have seen and been with Julian from day one, they have been really wonderful. The nurses have been there for us, too, explaining everything.

“It feels like such a blessing,” she continues. “Knowing my son had access to the latest treatments for sleep apnea gave me peace of mind and hope during a very difficult time.”

Julian’s surgery was a resounding success. The hardest part, Anahi says, was having to restrict movement for eight weeks while he healed. No exercising, no jumping, no throwing a ball, no shaking friends’ hands — it was a big ask of an active teenager. But witnessing Julian’s transformation was worth it.

“I would watch him at nighttime, and I would see those big pauses, and that was really scary for me,” Anahi shares. “After his surgery, I watched him a couple times sleeping, and it was just like a normal kid, sleeping peacefully. I don’t have to carry that weight anymore of me going to bed and not knowing what would happen during those pauses.”

Donations accelerate what’s possible

Throughout their two‑year journey, Julian and Anahi felt supported not only by their expert, compassionate ENT team, but also by a generous community of donors who make advanced pediatric care possible.

“I am so grateful to every donor,” Anahi says. “Because of their generosity, families like mine don’t have to face these challenges alone. Supporting the children’s hospital means investing in the health care and also the future of our kids.”

ENT at Mary Bridge Children’s is a growing department that provides a gamut of services, and philanthropy can accelerate that growth while ensuring patients like Julian get the best care, says Bryan J. Liming, MD.

“Philanthropy supports the patient experience,” Dr. Liming elaborates. “Surgical outcomes are better when children are more comfortable in a health care environment.”

For those already championing kids like Julian, Dr. Chieffe shares this message: “I am so thankful for your support — every contribution makes a difference! Your support expands our abilities, improving the care for the children of our community.”

With Inspire and backed by a community of supporters, Julian is a high-energy teen again, well rested and eager to take on the world.

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