Bennett and Nora: A journey of courage, care and community
Meet Bennett and Nora
For Ruse and Jen Brown, parenting has meant navigating the unexpected with strength and grace. Their children, Bennett and Nora, have faced serious medical challenges — but thanks to compassionate care from Children’s Mercy, they’ve also found hope, healing and a future full of possibility. And now they are paying it forward by supporting the expansion of expert pediatric care for kids like theirs living in Wichita.
Bennett’s diagnosis: A life-saving discovery
Bennett was just 10 months old when a quiet morning turned into a crisis. Jen was surprised he was still sleeping, so when his great-grandmother arrived for an unexpected visit, they went to wake Bennett, finding him unresponsive. Emergency responders rushed him to the hospital, where they found his blood sugar was dangerously low.
Children’s Mercy quickly stepped in. After weeks of testing and collaboration with specialists, Bennett was diagnosed with a malformed pituitary gland. The condition caused severe hypoglycemia due to a lack of human growth hormone.
The solution was simple but life-changing: nightly growth hormone injections. Bennett, now 12, administers them himself with confidence. He continues to receive care in Wichita, allowing him to live a full, active life close to home.
Nora’s story: Strength in every step
Nora’s journey began just days after birth. Jen sensed something wasn’t right. Nora was fussy and unable to pass stool. Eventually, she began vomiting meconium — a sign of a serious issue.
After extensive testing, Children’s Mercy diagnosed her with Hirschsprung’s disease, a condition where parts of the colon lack the nerve cells needed to function.
The Browns knew they needed expert care so again turned to Children’s Mercy. Nora underwent a long, complex surgery where a portion of her colon and intestines were affected and removed. The surgery was performed by a highly specialized team, including a pathologist who conducted real-time biopsies during the operation to ensure only the diseased tissue was removed. Once healthy tissue was confirmed, the surgeons reconnected the functioning bowel to restore normal digestive function.
Since then, Nora, now 10, has undergone additional procedures, including Botox injections to reduce scar tissue. Today, she’s thriving — thanks to ongoing care, telemedicine check-ins and a team that continues to walk alongside her.
Why Wichita matters
For the Browns, the reason they give back to Children’s Mercy is having access to expert pediatric care in Wichita has been transformative for their family. “If we had to go to Kansas City for every scan or test, it would be really trying for our family,” Ruse said. “Having care here means our kids can just be kids.”
The expansion of Children’s Mercy’s services in Wichita means more families will have access to world-class care — regardless of income or insurance status. “This isn’t just about our family,” Ruse said. “It’s about every child in Wichita having a chance.”
A message to other families
To families just beginning their journey, Ruse offers this: “Children’s Mercy will exhaust every option. You’ll never feel like you’re just a number — they genuinely care.”
From Bennett’s quiet strength to Nora’s fearless spirit, the Brown family’s story is a testament to the power of compassionate care. And as Children’s Mercy continues to grow in Wichita, more families will have the chance to write their own stories — while staying close to home.