Celebrating Milestones, Progress, and Brighter Futures

At Sunshine Pediatric Day Center, every child’s journey is a story worth celebrating. Our Success Stories highlight the incredible progress made by children with complex medical needs as they grow, learn, and thrive within our Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center (PPECC) program. These stories honor the strength of our children, the dedication of our families, and the skilled, compassionate care delivered by our Sunshine team.

Each milestone represents the combined effort of licensed clinicians, therapists, and families working together through individualized care plans tailored to each child’s unique medical and developmental needs. From g-tube and ng-tube weaning, to decannulation, seizure management, feeding progress, mobility gains, communication improvements, and more—these achievements show what is possible when specialized pediatric care and genuine connection come together under one roof.

Our Success Stories also reflect the broader mission of Sunshine Pediatric Day Center:
to prepare children for greater independence and, when possible, transition them from skilled nursing into community schools. With skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, developmental enrichment, social engagement, and supervised transportation, we empower children to reach milestones many families once believed were out of reach.

With multiple PPECC locations across Texas—and more opening soon—Sunshine is proud to support families through a care model that focuses not only on wellness, but on joy, growth, and long-term success.

At Sunshine Pediatric Day Center, we don’t just care for children—
we celebrate their victories, honor their resilience, and help them shine.

Thalia

Our sweet Thalia has reached an incredible milestone—decannulation! Born full-term with congenital paralyzed vocal cords, Thalia faced tremendous challenges from the very beginning. But at just 18 months old, she’s already beating the odds and showing everyone what true strength looks like. Thalia has made remarkable progress in speech therapy—her bright, strong voice fills the room, and she now eats 100% by mouth! She’ll keep her G-tube for a few more months through the winter season (COVID, flu, and RSV precautions), but we’re hopeful she’ll be ready to have it removed soon. We are so proud of this brave, determined girl and all she’s accomplished. Thalia’s journey is a beautiful reminder of courage, progress, and the power of care and love.

Thalia

Our sweet Thalia has reached an incredible milestone—decannulation! Born full-term with congenital paralyzed vocal cords, Thalia faced tremendous challenges from the very beginning. But at just 18 months old, she’s already beating the odds and showing everyone what true strength looks like. Thalia has made remarkable progress in speech therapy—her bright, strong voice fills the room, and she now eats 100% by mouth! She’ll keep her G-tube for a few more months through the winter season (COVID, flu, and RSV precautions), but we’re hopeful she’ll be ready to have it removed soon. We are so proud of this brave, determined girl and all she’s accomplished. Thalia’s journey is a beautiful reminder of courage, progress, and the power of care and love.

Ethan

Ethan began his Sunshine journey on 5/2/23. He came to us with a past medical history of cardiac issues, complicated by global brain injury, presumed secondary to hypernatremic diabetes insipidus. Ethan was diagnosed with g-tube dependence and a seizure disorder. He required total care, was non-verbal, and unable to ambulate. Upon discharge from PPECC on 2/26/24, he was participating in all therapies, tolerating his feeds and medications, and using a wheelchair, but also able to walk around the center with assistance. Fast forward to the present day, Ethan is enrolled in public school and successfully participates in his school district’s Special Olympics, including running the 10-meter dash!

Thalia

Our sweet Thalia has reached an incredible milestone—decannulation! Born full-term with congenital paralyzed vocal cords, Thalia faced tremendous challenges from the very beginning. But at just 18 months old, she’s already beating the odds and showing everyone what true strength looks like. Thalia has made remarkable progress in speech therapy—her bright, strong voice fills the room, and she now eats 100% by mouth! She’ll keep her G-tube for a few more months through the winter season (COVID, flu, and RSV precautions), but we’re hopeful she’ll be ready to have it removed soon. We are so proud of this brave, determined girl and all she’s accomplished. Thalia’s journey is a beautiful reminder of courage, progress, and the power of care and love.

Ethan

Ethan began his Sunshine journey on 5/2/23. He came to us with a past medical history of cardiac issues, complicated by global brain injury, presumed secondary to hypernatremic diabetes insipidus. Ethan was diagnosed with g-tube dependence and a seizure disorder. He required total care, was non-verbal, and unable to ambulate. Upon discharge from PPECC on 2/26/24, he was participating in all therapies, tolerating his feeds and medications, and using a wheelchair, but also able to walk around the center with assistance. Fast forward to the present day, Ethan is enrolled in public school and successfully participates in his school district’s Special Olympics, including running the 10-meter dash!

Carter

The Sunshine family came into our lives in our most desperate moment. We were overwhelmed and exhausted trying to keep up with Carter’s needs. From the moment we toured, Sunshine started taking on our load of stress and confusion and guiding us on the path towards our new, manageable normal. Having a child with special needs doesn't come with an instruction guide, and we've learned you need to have a village surrounding you. We have found both in our Sunshine family! Carter has flourished during her time here, even spoiled rotten! Sunshine is truly our Saving Grace. I never want anyone to have a baby who qualifies for this special daycare, but I thank God daily that He led us to this precious place! Sunshine is more than a daycare; they are a part of our family!

Carter

The Sunshine family came into our lives in our most desperate moment. We were overwhelmed and exhausted trying to keep up with Carter’s needs. From the moment we toured, Sunshine started taking on our load of stress and confusion and guiding us on the path towards our new, manageable normal. Having a child with special needs doesn't come with an instruction guide, and we've learned you need to have a village surrounding you. We have found both in our Sunshine family! Carter has flourished during her time here, even spoiled rotten! Sunshine is truly our Saving Grace. I never want anyone to have a baby who qualifies for this special daycare, but I thank God daily that He led us to this precious place! Sunshine is more than a daycare; they are a part of our family!

VALENTINA

Valentina B. first came to Sunshine on June 13, 2024, when she was four months old. She had a traumatic start to life after being hospitalized at only four days old because of feeding intolerance and choking. Shortly thereafter, Valentina was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure with hypoxemia, tracheobronchomalacia, and dysphagia. Because of this, she was unable to eat independently. Valentina spent most of her time lying in her crib and barely responded to external stimuli. When she arrived at our PPECC, she was not reaching developmental milestones. Fast forward to now. Valentina has been receiving therapy and interacting with staff and peers in our PPECC for over ten months. Valentina can now crawl great distances, walk with a walker, and engages with others. She loves facetime with staff and has recently developed the ability to pull herself up and stand. Valentina has grown so much during her time here! Her mother, Reyna, was initially nervous to let Valentina come to Sunshine and would periodically keep her home. Now, however, Reyna ensures that her daughter attends regularly. Reyna’s trust in our PPECC grew not only through witnessing her baby’s immense developmental progress, but also through seeing how she interacted so positively with the staff during drop-offs and pick-ups. It’s been our pleasure to support Valentina’s family as they navigated the difficult start to her beautiful life, and we can’t wait to see how much more she will continue to grow here!

—Jonathan, Administrator in Houston

Valentina

Valentina B. first came to Sunshine on June 13, 2024, when she was four months old. She had a traumatic start to life after being hospitalized at only four days old because of feeding intolerance and choking. Shortly thereafter, Valentina was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure with hypoxemia, tracheobronchomalacia, and dysphagia. Because of this, she was unable to eat independently. Valentina spent most of her time lying in her crib and barely responded to external stimuli. When she arrived at our PPECC, she was not reaching developmental milestones. Fast forward to now. Valentina has been receiving therapy and interacting with staff and peers in our PPECC for over ten months. Valentina can now crawl great distances, walk with a walker, and engages with others. She loves facetime with staff and has recently developed the ability to pull herself up and stand. Valentina has grown so much during her time here! Her mother, Reyna, was initially nervous to let Valentina come to Sunshine and would periodically keep her home. Now, however, Reyna ensures that her daughter attends regularly. Reyna’s trust in our PPECC grew not only through witnessing her baby’s immense developmental progress, but also through seeing how she interacted so positively with the staff during drop-offs and pick-ups. It’s been our pleasure to support Valentina’s family as they navigated the difficult start to her beautiful life, and we can’t wait to see how much more she will continue to grow here!

—Jonathan, Administrator in Houston

WATSON

Watson, age 3, has been part of our Sunshine family for about 18 months. During his time here, he’s made amazing progress—learning to walk, communicate with his words, and confidently use both sign language and his audio sound board. Watson attends part time at his local ISD but spends most of his days with us as a proud full-time Sunshiner! He continues to receive OT, PT, and speech therapy to strengthen his new skills, along with the nutrition and medications he needs to thrive. Watson is pure joy—his bright smile and big hugs light up our center every day. His wonderful family—Mom, Dad, “Sissy,” and “Bubby”—are a cherished part of our Sunshine community, always cheering him on and joining in our activities and events.

Watson

Watson, age 3, has been part of our Sunshine family for about 18 months. During his time here, he’s made amazing progress—learning to walk, communicate with his words, and confidently use both sign language and his audio sound board. Watson attends part time at his local ISD but spends most of his days with us as a proud full-time Sunshiner! He continues to receive OT, PT, and speech therapy to strengthen his new skills, along with the nutrition and medications he needs to thrive. Watson is pure joy—his bright smile and big hugs light up our center every day. His wonderful family—Mom, Dad, “Sissy,” and “Bubby”—are a cherished part of our Sunshine community, always cheering him on and joining in our activities and events.