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6-Year-Old Matias Begins Rehab After Neuroblastoma Surgery

9/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Matias, 6, continues rehabilitation at Kennedy Krieger Institute after tumor removal left him waist-down paralyzed.
Doctors diagnosed neuroblastoma, a rare tumor compressing his spinal cord.
Surgeons removed the tumor and chemotherapy treated remaining cancer, yet he awoke paralyzed from the waist down.
Therapist Rachel Mertins oversees his rehab, and his twin inspires his “I can do it” sensor-guided exercises.

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Story summary

Matias, 6, continues rehabilitation at Kennedy Krieger Institute after tumor removal left him waist-down paralyzed.
Doctors diagnosed neuroblastoma, a rare tumor compressing his spinal cord.
Surgeons removed the tumor and chemotherapy treated remaining cancer, yet he awoke paralyzed from the waist down.
Therapist Rachel Mertins oversees his rehab, and his twin inspires his “I can do it” sensor-guided exercises.