One of our favorite things about publishing Macaroni Kid is the chance to connect with other moms in our community. Often times these connections inspire us and remind us of the ability of one person to make a difference. It is with this in mind that we launch a new article series called Mom on a Mission. Our hope is to introduce you to some amazing moms living right in our communities who not only are doing unique and wonderful things but also deserve to have some attention brought to their mission.
I am going to guess that you've never heard of “Perinatal Ischemic Stroke.” I never realized that babies can suffer a stroke in-utero until I read the story of Kaysee Hyatt, the mom of a Pediatric Stroke survivor, her beautiful daughter Addison. From Addison's initial diagnosis to building the best medial team for her care and securing early intervention services from Encompass, Kaysee has advocated for what's best for her daughter. That experience inspired her to create Pediatric Stroke Warriors, a registered 501C3 nonprofit, to increase awareness among the community and advocate for more resources.
Kaysee Hyatt is on a mission to build community awareness for pediatric stroke and hope for impacted children and families. Please get to know this local mom a little better by reading her answers to our questions.
What is your MISSION?
I can honestly admit that before my daughter’s diagnosis, I had no idea that a stroke could happen to a child. No idea of just how many families were navigating this with their child. The truth I learned firsthand is that a stroke can happen at any age and navigating that diagnosis for your child is tough, especially if you don’t have support or know of resources.
My personal mission is to be a part of that needed change in awareness for pediatric stroke, and helping local families like ours connect with each other in support. When we incorporated Pediatric Stroke Warriors earlier this year, it was with that same mission in mind. Building community awareness for pediatric stroke and hope for impacted children and families throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The focus is on both the outreach and education needed to make a change in awareness, along with continually building support and resources to benefit families. To date, we have successfully teamed up with Seattle Children's Hospital and are working to support their Stroke Program, which benefits hundreds of families seeking care at Seattle Children’s after stroke. It’s been a lot of work and it will continue to be, but I am beyond grateful that I can be contributing to a cause I am passionate about.
What inspired/encouraged you to start Pediatric Stroke Warriors? Is there one specific moment when you knew this was what you wanted to do? Obviously I could tell you that my daughter and our personal journey is my inspiration. But in reality, this is not just about our family or my daughter. It’s about all the children that have been impacted by stroke. All the families that navigate this diagnosis, sometimes with very little information or means of support, as they move about to get their child the care they need.
So there wasn’t a specific moment for me when I just knew. It was steadily over a period of time. When I heard or connected with another family whose child had a stroke it continued to show me how big of an impact this all is. It took me from a place of believing statements of how rare pediatric stroke is, to a place where I was moved to want to do more to bring about visibility to awareness.
How did your life before children influence the mom you are today?
I believe who we are is constantly influenced by what we have gone through in life. Moments, whether great or challenging, shaped me, and each one of those moments is how I got to where I am today. I grew up as an only child, but yet a part of a huge family with aunts, uncles, and cousins close in age. So, family has always been the most important thing to me, even before I had my own children.
With my career, I had spent close to 14 years working for the corporate office of Verizon Wireless when it was headquartered in Bellevue. I had started out in customer service, and then spent those last few years in Leadership and Administration. Communications, event planning, a ton of multitasking. One way or another, I was always supporting people! Some part of me absolutely loves that, and it’s what I know I am good at. I like giving back and helping people.
What part do your children play in your current mission?
I’m always thinking of my children in any choice I make, this was a lot to take on so it had to make sense to our entire family and not just to me. There had to be boundaries and discussions in what all this meant. Our daughter is too young to understand right now, but our son is 13. He gets exactly what I am doing and why. He supports it completely. His moral compass is so sound and I am always proud of the heart he has. I want both my children to be able to see that dedication and doing what is right is important in life, even if it’s hard work. I want them to feel confident in themselves and accepting of others and differences. I think parents need to not only say this to their children, but show them, and I hope that is what my children see in what I am doing.
What lessons/values are you learning through this process? What lessons/values do you hope your kids are learning?
I am grateful every day for so many relationships that have come out of this process. Whether it has come from family, friends, doctors or strangers, this entire process has showed all of us that there a lot of compassionate people in our lives. I know my children feel and see this.
What do you do to take care of yourself and how do you make time to do it?
That may just be the hardest question you have asked! I am not sure there is any mom that has successfully learned how to really take care of themselves and carve out that personal time when you have young children. It’s tough! But, it’s also very important. My husband and I have built up a pretty great team method to get each other that time every day.
What can we do to support you and Pediatric Stroke Warriors?
It’s natural for people to believe that as a nonprofit we are all about donations. Donations are absolutely appreciated and go far in supporting our mission and the stroke program at Seattle Children’s. However, donations are not the only way to support us! Awareness of who we are and what we support is absolutely free and goes far! The more people hear about us, the more we can connect with other families in support.
Be sure to check out our Outreach and Education page on our website. It’s important for anyone, especially those with children or who work with children, to learn more about the signs, symptoms and effects of pediatric stroke. Simply gaining the knowledge of the possibility of stroke and how to recognize it, is huge for making a change.
Lastly, October 29th is World Stroke Day and we are recognizing and honoring the many children that have been impacted by stroke. It’s been a great month to raise awareness and be a part of a worldwide virtual campaign dedicated to pediatric stroke. But, it’s also important that we can bring that awareness here in our community. A huge thank you to Pioneer Coffee for supporting us in a “Cup for a Cause” event in honor of World Stroke Day. For each coffee purchased on Oct 29, 50 cents will be donated to Pediatric Stroke Warriors and help to support the stroke program at Seattle Children’s. Be sure to stop by, this is a great way for community involvement and is so appreciated!
Connect Online: www.pediatricstrokewarriors.org | www.facebook.com/pediatricstrokewarriors
Find out about our other MOMS ON A MISSION:
JULIE PARKER is on a mission to complete a marathon in every state by the time she turns 50 years old. 50 by 50.
JAMIE MENOLD is on a mission to raise awareness of and funds for pediatric cancer research.
KRISTEN BRANTNER is on a mission to make a difference in the future of rare disease and created a local non-profit called RAREevents.
CHRISTIE MALCHOW is on a mission to make sure the city hears the voices of young families and is running for Sammamish City Council.
