Their young daughter, Adalynn (Addie), gets excited waving to all the characters performing at the seasonal attraction. When the family saw the flyer advertising the Shriners Children’s Boston Haunted Walk, they knew they had to sign up. “Our family absolutely loves Halloween,” Matthew said. The sixth annual fundraising event is taking place this year on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Garden at Elm Bank in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
Matthew and Aimee describe Addie as their “miracle baby” with a “smile that can light up a room.” The couple went through four years of IVF treatment before becoming pregnant. Addie’s birth was eventful, as she was delivered by emergency cesarean section and sustained an injury to her nose.
Shortly after her birth, Matthew and Aimee took Addie to see a plastic surgeon, who examined the nose injury. Addie was diagnosed with necrosis of columella after nasal trauma, which would require surgical intervention. The columella is the tissue located at the base of the nose that separates the nostrils. In Addie’s case, the tissue making up the columella was no longer viable, leaving her without that part of her nose. Damage to or absence of a columella can impact the breathing process.
As Matthew and Aimee absorbed Addie’s diagnosis, they researched medical facilities in the Greater Boston area and ultimately chose Shriners Children’s Boston as the right fit for their family. “We are very fortunate to reside near Boston where some of the best hospitals are. We love everything about Shriners Children’s and the care and attention they have shown our family,” said Matthew.
Addie’s care team at Shriners Children’s Boston includes Kavitha Ranganathan, M.D., co-director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, a collaborative program with Mass General Brigham for Children, and Branko Bojovic, M.D., chief of plastic, reconstructive and laser surgery. The two surgeons are collaborating to manage Addie’s treatment.
Dr. Bojovic performed Addie’s first laser procedure in June 2025 to help address scarring on her nose due to tissue necrosis. The family anticipates two additional procedures to manage scarring, followed by a surgical reconstruction of her columella, which will occur when Addie is 5 or 6 years old. Addie currently wears nostril retainers to help keep her nasal passages open and properly shaped.
Shriners Children’s Boston is “uniquely poised with our collaborative approach to care and our expertise in reconstructive and craniofacial surgical procedures to manage diagnoses like these," Dr. Bojovic noted. He utilized a multi-modal laser approach using two separate lasers over the nasal tip and columella to improve the appearance and thickness of the scarring. “This is important because it allows for further unimpeded nasal growth. This approach also gives Dr. Ranganathan more options and flexibility in the future due to more favorable scar quality in terms of size and thickness,” Dr. Bojovic said.
“Our collaborative approach to cases like Addie’s leads to improved outcomes and enhanced treatment options. Dr. Bojovic’s work to address the nasal scarring helps form the foundation for complex surgeries that I will perform once Addie gets older,” added Dr. Ranganathan.
Lean on the doctors, therapists, and specialists. Ask every question, even if you think it sounds small. Lastly, try to hold on to hope.
Matthew noted that Dr. Ranganathan and Dr. Bojovic “take the time to really listen to us, which makes such a huge difference when you’re dealing with something as important as your child’s care. We never feel rushed, and they treat our concerns with respect and patience. Their compassion shines through in the way they explain things, answer every question and make sure you understand what’s going on. Because of the way they communicate and their genuine care, our family is able to feel confident with the treatment plan and the decisions being made.”
Addie’s care team also includes occupational therapist Jessica Willoughby, MOT, OTR/L, BT-C, nurse care manager Sandy Barrett BSN, RN, CCN, and nurse practitioner Jillian Pasciucco, D.N.P., FNP-BC. Matthew said that each member of Addie’s care team offers clear explanations of treatment approaches and makes sure the family feels supported every step of the way.
Matthew has some perspective to share with other families absorbing a similar diagnosis. “The first thing I would say is – take a breath. It’s overwhelming in the beginning, and it’s normal to feel scared, confused or even lost. Give yourself permission to feel those emotions but know that they don’t define the road ahead.”
He also advises other families to “lean on the doctors, therapists and specialists. Ask every question, even if you think it sounds small. Lastly, try to hold on to hope. Yes, the road may be long and full of appointments, treatments and unknowns, but your child is stronger than you think, and so are you,” he said.
Matthew and Aimee look forward to connecting with other families at the Boston Haunted Walk who are on similar journeys with their children. “There’s something comforting about being around people who truly understand what it’s like – without needing to explain every detail. I think it will be uplifting to share stories, hear about different experiences and know we’re not alone in this,” Matthew said.
Addie's smile shines from her car seat.
Along with her parents, Matthew and Aimee. Addie is participating in the Shriners Children's Boston Haunted Walk.
Addie holds a menu – ready to place an order.
Addie enjoys quality time with dad Matthew.
