Mary Matheson looks outside a window at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital before an appointment in Iowa City, Iowa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Constant appointments and health challenges for Liam also take a toll on Matheson, but she gets help from her partner, Ben Reese, and friends. “I just take it day by day, honestly,” Matheson said. “And some days are more difficult but I usually just try and spend the time when I need to deal with it.”