— Michelle Tedrow

When it comes to health care, don't underestimate the martial arts. Just ask Ryan Tedrow, a fourth grader who holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Ryan, son of Tom and Michelle Tedrow of Sioux City, Iowa, has complicated urologic problems as a result of a birth defect. He has had a combination of treatments, tests, and surgical procedures since he began experiencing urologic infections at age 4.

Along the difficult road to recovery, the martial arts and the expertise of Iowa's only fellowship trained pediatric urologists have played vital roles in that therapy.

Michelle explains it this way: "Most of Ryan's care has been provided by Dr. Christopher Cooper (a pediatric urologist at University of Iowa Children's Hospital located at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics).

"One of the things Dr. Cooper suggested in Ryan's treatment was that he get involved in Tae Kwon Do to increase his activity level."

Ryan not only got involved, he fell in love with the sportÑso much so that during the family's travels across the state, he missed Tae Kwon Do classes back home.

With Cooper's assistance (his sons participate in Tae Kwon Do), the Tedrows connected with the UI Hawkeye Tae Kwon Do program and its director, Ned Ashton. Ashton has allowed Ryan to work out as a special guest at the school when the family is in town.

"We now plan our trips around the Tae Kwon Do schedule and consider it part of the medical plan," Michelle explains. "The tenets of Tae KwonÑcourtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spiritÑfit nicely into health care. It has really made a difference for him."

The Tedrows are amazed at how many people at University of Iowa Children's Hospital have made a difference in Ryan's life. It starts with the state's only two pediatric urology specialists, Cooper and J. Christopher Austin, M.D. (University of Iowa Children's Hospital pediatric urologist).

"We just felt University of Iowa Children's Hospital was the best possible place Ryan could be," explains Michelle, noting that Ryan was referred there by Dakota Dunes, South Dakota urologist Timothy Kneib, M.D. "Not only is Ryan receiving wonderful medical care, but he receives the emotional support he needs."

In addition to Tae Kwon Do, the family's gratitude extends to:

• Child Life Therapy program for helping Ryan through uncomfortable procedures.
• The hospital's Pet Therapy Program for helping Ryan overcome the loneliness he feels when separated from the family's three dogs and two pet rats.
• Ronald McDonald House for being the family's "home away from home" during visits.
• Department of Anesthesia, which Ryan likes so much that his mother says he plans to attend UI in 2013 to begin training as an anesthesiologist.
• Two clinical trial opportunities, for which Ryan received compensation.
• "Eduardo," the sock monkey given to him by Volunteer Services.

Most vital of all, of course, has been the highly specialized care he has received from the pediatric urology treatment team.

According to Cooper, Ryan's health problems have included vesicoureteral reflux, a condition in which the bladder backwashes into the kidney, causing swelling. This was complicated by a diverticulum, which is essentially a balloon extending off the bladder by the ureter (Ryan's was unusually large). Complex surgical procedures (Ryan has undergone five so far) and other treatments have resolved many of the problems that have disrupted his young life.

"Ryan is doing very well," Cooper says. "We believe that medication and time itself will resolve the remaining problems completely."

From Pacemaker Spring 2004

Ryan practicing his Tae Kwon Do kicks.

Ryan, his mother, and his physician, Chris Cooper.

For more information:

Christopher Cooper, M.D.

University of Iowa Children's Hospital

J. Christopher Austin, M.D.

Pediatric Urology Clinic