Benefitting La Rabida Children's Hospital
Sammy's Story
Sam and Noah came into this world under unimaginable circumstances. On December 8, 2016, in Dallas, Texas, our cousin Rory Nunley tragically passed away while giving birth to her twin boys at just 25 weeks. Despite their extreme prematurity, both boys survived—a miracle in itself.
My wife and I stepped in as their guardians and ultimately adopted them. Rory had chosen to become a mother through IVF, and while she is no longer with us, her courage and love live on through her sons.
The first six months of their lives were spent in the NICU at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. We traveled weekly from Chicago, taking shifts by their side. Eventually, Noah grew strong enough to come home to Chicago. Sam’s journey, however, was far more complex.
Sam’s lungs had not developed as needed, and doctors determined he would require a tracheostomy and long-term ventilator support. In July, he was transported to Chicago and admitted to Lurie Children’s Hospital, where he spent the next several years fighting, recovering, and—remarkably—smiling through it all.
In 2019, we were transferred to La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Jackson Park. That transition changed everything for our family.
La Rabida didn’t just care for Sam—they prepared us. Their mission was to teach us how to bring him home safely. Every day, we learned: how to manage his trach, care for his ventilator, handle his G-tube, and respond to his complex medical needs. But beyond the clinical training, they gave us something even greater—confidence, compassion, and hope.
The care we received at La Rabida was nothing short of extraordinary. Their kindness, patience, and expertise felt like a blessing in our lives. They didn’t just treat Sam—they uplifted our entire family.
After eight months, we “graduated.” Today, Sam is thriving. He is growing stronger, beginning to breathe on his own, and even starting to speak. And through it all, he continues to smile.
La Rabida was the turning point in Sam’s life and in ours. There is no organization more deserving of our support. The work they do is truly world-class, and it must continue for families like ours for generations to come.
With Love,
Dan and Cyndi Schuman