From Cape Cod to the Jersey Shore: One Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Breath

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Dawn Laughlin, a Cape Cod resident already managing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), faced a new and frightening challenge when she began having trouble breathing. Initially dismissed as another symptom of her chronic condition, imaging tests eventually revealed a paralyzed right diaphragm caused by a damaged phrenic nerve. Despite the existence of a surgical solution, her complex health history made many doctors hesitant to operate. As her breathing worsened and impacted her quality of life, Laughlin's own research led her to Matthew Kaufman, M.D., plastic and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist at the Center for Treatment of Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, a pioneer in phrenic nerve reconstruction. After specialized testing confirmed she was a candidate, Laughlin found renewed hope for a life where breathing isn't a constant struggle.

Read more to discover how her relentless search for answers led her to a groundbreaking surgery and a new chance at a full life.

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