Episode
Untangled: How Vermont’s Only Pediatric Neurosurgeon Helps Young Brains Overcome Big Challenges
- Podcast
- Living Healthy Together
- Published
- Jan 23, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3059
- Processing state
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Summary
At 14 years old, Kian Ruid’s life was suddenly turned upside down by debilitating headaches so powerful he couldn’t even stand upright. An MRI revealed the reason: a rare abnormality in Kian’s brain known as an AVM – a dangerous tangle of blood vessels that causes headaches, pain, vision problems and more, as well as posing serious risks for internal bleeding resulting in seizures, stroke-like symptoms, cognitive difficulties, movement problems and other life-changing impacts. Once doctors found the AVM entangled with the motor center of Kian’s brain, surgery quickly became an imperative, though it came with potential short- and long-term impacts to Kian’s ability to walk – not to mention his ability to continue playing hockey. Join us as we speak with Kian and his mother, Rebecca Ruid, about their family’s experience navigating this life-changing medical journey and how Kian made a remarkable recovery after surgery and returned to the ice just nine months later. We’ll also take an inside look at the system of care, treatment and support that serves pediatric patients and their families navigating neurological conditions and diagnoses, and meet Dr. Katrina Ducis, the only pediatric neurosurgeon in Vermont and the clinician who removed the AVM that was threatening Kian’s health and wellness.