Mom and son are both Riley kids

By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

Kylie Weichman can’t help but have a sense of déjà vu as she watches her son, Cohen, race around the lobby of Simon Family Tower.

Mother and son, and grandma too (Teresa Weichman), were at Riley Hospital for Children last week for a red wagon dedication – Cohen’s wagon dedication – to support the Riley Children’s Foundation.

In 2024, the family was in that same lobby, dedicating a wagon in Weichman’s name during the hospital’s 100^th birthday celebration because she, too, is a Riley kid.

Weichman was just eight days old when she was diagnosed with congenital emphysema and had part of her right lung removed. Dr. Karen West was her physician until Weichman “graduated” from Riley in the seventh grade.

“Riley has always been a special part of my life,” the Columbus mom said.

That’s why, when her son Cohen began experiencing seizures at seven months old, she knew where he needed to go.

“I knew by taking Cohen to Riley he would be in really good hands.”

Neurologist Dr. Laurence Walsh was in the Riley Emergency Department when Weichman brought her son to the hospital back in late 2024 after capturing a video of Cohen suffering what would later be diagnosed as infantile spasms, a form of epilepsy.

Genetic testing revealed that Cohen, who is adopted, had a genetic disorder that seemed to be causing the seizures, but after a month of treatment with high-dose prednisolone, the spasms disappeared.

Cohen, now 21 months old, has been under the care of neurologist Dr. Lisa Smith (who attended his wagon dedication) since he was diagnosed, but all tests since December 2024 have been negative for seizure activity.

Cognitively, he is fine, Weichman said, “a typical toddler,” and she is counting her blessings.

Between Dr. Walsh, Dr. Smith and nurse practitioner Yvonne Hayden, as well as all the doctors and staff, Riley has provided exceptional care, Weichman said.

“They have really put my mind at ease about his future.”

Weichman, who is part of a regional outreach program for RCF in Columbus, is passionate about ensuring that every child has access to the care at Riley, just like her son has.

“He is the greatest gift God could have ever provided me.”

Learn more about sponsoring a Riley wagon here. https://give.rileykids.org/campaign/name-a-riley-red-wagon-to-benefit-riley-childrens-health/c539865

Photos by Maureen Gilmer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org