When Amanda and Steven Boucher from Washburn, North Dakota look at their 5-year-old daughter, Claire, they can’t help but think about how far their little girl has come.
In her young life, Claire has endured more than most people face in a lifetime. But thanks to Sanford Children’s Hospital and programs and services fueled by philanthropy, she’s now reaching milestones that once seemed impossible.
As a 2026 Ambassador for Sanford Children’s in Bismarck, Claire and her family are sharing their journey to raise awareness and inspire support for other local kids and families who will need extra or unexpected care in the weeks and months ahead.
“
Without Sanford Children’s, our little girl would have never received the help she needed.
Claire’s Mom
Courageous Claire
During Amanda’s pregnancy, a routine ultrasound showed an abnormality on baby Claire’s brain. Doctors continued to monitor the issue, but at 32 weeks, Amanda’s blood pressure spiked and remained dangerously high. Doctors made the decision to perform an emergency c-section and Claire was born on Sept. 26, 2020, weighing just 3 lb. 9 oz. She was immediately taken to the NICU at Sanford Children’s Hospital for intensive care and additional evaluation.
A short time later, Claire was referred to a pediatric neuroscience team at a hospital in Minnesota where Amanda and Steven received the news no parent wants to hear.
“We found out that she had two bleeds in her brain and also a clot in her brain, which had led to about half her cerebellum not even being there anymore,” Amanda said. “All we could do was just hope for the best.”
After about two months, Claire’s condition stabilized and Amanda and Steven were able to bring their daughter home to Washburn, located about 45 minutes north of Bismarck. They arrived home shortly before Thanksgiving feeling grateful. They were looking forward to celebrating all their blessings.
They had no idea that even harder days were coming.
The Search for Answers
Shortly after they returned home, Claire began experiencing seizures. The family flew back to Minnesota where Claire underwent a series of tests, but everything came back normal. The Bouchers returned home to Washburn shortly before Christmas hoping the worst was behind them.
Two months later, the seizures returned. The family again returned to Minnesota for more tests. They also connected with Dr. Christina daSilva, a pediatric specialist at Sanford Children’s in Bismarck.
“Claire wouldn’t be who she is today without Dr. daSilva,” Amanda said. “She was the only one who listened to us, believed us and was there for us when we were searching for answers.”
Claire was eventually diagnosed with infantile spasms, a form of epilepsy, as well as spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, the most severe form of cerebral palsy. She also suffers from hemiplegia, paralysis on her left side caused by her brain bleeds.
After the diagnosis, and with the help of Dr. daSilva, a plan to help Claire began to develop.
“While we were still in the hospital in Minnesota, Sanford Children’s Therapies contacted us and asked us if we would be available for any services,” Amanda said. “Probably the first week that we were home, we went there to meet with the occupational, physical and speech therapists.”
Steven said Sanford’s location helped to make a difficult time easier.
“Having Sanford so close, only being 45 minutes away, has been amazing,” he said. “Where I grew up, I’d have to drive at least two hours one way just to get this same kind of care.”
Reaching New Milestones
For the last five years, Claire has received OT, PT and speech therapy from Sanford Children’s Therapies twice a week. The impact on Claire, Amanda said, has been incredible.
“She has no seizures now and [she has achieved] so many milestones. The chances of her walking were slim to none. There was a chance she couldn’t hear or see. She can walk now. She can hear. She has glasses now, but she can see just fine. And I think a lot of it comes down to her therapies and how much her therapists have worked with her,” Amanda said.
“It’s just amazing that she can do the things she can do. Yes, she’s weak on one side, including her left arm, but she’s adapting because of her therapists. What makes Sanford Children’s Therapies special is that they do different activities with her. They keep trying new things — trying to get Claire to be more receptive to some of the stuff that she needs to do.”
Beyond the medical care Claire has received, Amanda said her family has also felt the love and compassion of the entire Sanford Children’s team.
“They kind of become family, to be honest,” she said. “After five and a half years, you really get to know these people, and they really treat you like you are family. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a receptionist or if it’s the manager — everyone treats the kids like they’re their own.”
As Amanda looks ahead to watching her daughter begin kindergarten this fall, she’s hopeful. That’s because Claire continues to grow stronger every day.
“With all the help that she’s had from the therapists at Sanford Children’s Therapies, she is making huge strides. We’re just so grateful.”
Give for Children, Give for Good
Each year, thousands of local kids like Claire turn to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Bismarck for extra or unexpected care.
With your support, we can give every child the healthy future they deserve. When you give for Sanford Children’s, 100% of every dollar is maximized to its fullest potential — to help kids like Claire reach theirs. Gifts support priorities like:
- Child life, helping to ease kids’ fears and worries through therapeutic play
- Financial assistance to help families with the costs of meals, lodging and travel while their child is in the hospital
- Lifesaving pediatric equipment like ventilators, ultrasound machines and Giraffe OmniBeds, which mimic a mother’s womb for NICU infants
- And so much more!