Children's Miracle Network

Ministry Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital

Noah Eckelberg
Spencer, Wisconsin

Noah Eckelberg

When you first meet Noah Eckelberg of Spencer, you can’t help but notice his infectious smile and exuberant personality. Most people hardly even notice his slight limp when he’s not in his wheelchair. You also quickly realize that he seems much older than his seven years. Perhaps that’s because Noah has endured much more than other children his age.

On May 13, 2003, Noah was born 3½ weeks early at Saint Joseph’s Hospital to proud parents, Matthew and Aimie. He was perfect in every way – except he had an opening at the base of his spine. Noah was immediately admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. The day after his birth, Dr. Sanjay Rao, Marshfield Clinic Neurosurgeon on staff at Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, performed surgery to repair the opening along his spine.

Noah spent the next eight days in the NICU. This was the beginning of the family’s journey with Spina Bifida.

During the past seven years, Noah has endured eight surgeries, five hospitalizations and five types of casts. One of those surgeries was to address Noah’s clubfeet. Dr. F. Stig Jacobsen, Marshfield Clinic Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon on staff at Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, performed that surgery when Noah was only eight months old. Noah required an additional surgical procedure monthly for three months to manipulate his feet and recast them. Noah currently wears foot orthotics 12 hours of the day.

One month short of his fourth birthday, Noah again underwent an extensive orthopedic surgery performed by Dr. Jacobsen. He was placed in a cast from his waist to his toes for more than four weeks. Noah spent his birthday in a wheelchair. Two years later he finally had the pins surgically removed from his leg.

“Now that Noah is getting older, he understands more of what is happening to him,” said Matthew. “With all the surgeries Noah has undergone, he anticipates the pain before it even happens.”

Besides playing with his little sister, Emma, Noah enjoys watching the Packers and cheering on NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson. He’s also active in sled hockey. Noah attends Spencer Public Schools.

“To our family, a miracle is something that is nearly impossible, but yet it happens,” said Aimie. “With the help that Noah and our family has received from Children’s Miracle Network, Child Life Specialists, physicians, nurses and therapists, Noah is able to achieve so many things, like walking, that we didn’t know would be possible.”

Patti Shafto-Carlson
Director of Development - Children's Services
cmn@ministryhealth.org