Braeden’s Disability: Cerebral Palsy – (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means weakness or problems with using the muscles.
Braeden’s Story: He was born 13 weeks premature and spent the first 12 weeks of his life in the NICU. When he was 15 days old they were informed that he had hydrocephalus and would need to undergo surgery to place a ported shunt to be able to withdraw the fluid off his brain until he was old enough to withstand a full shunt surgery. At that time the doctors weren’t for sure how the hydrocephalus would affect his future mobility. Before the age of 2, Braeden had 10 surgeries/revisions done to his shunt. As he grew they noticed a delay in his ability to meet normal milestones of a child that doesn’t have hydrocephalus. It was determined by the time he was 10 months old that he had cerebral palsy. He has high muscle tone, spastic and dystonic reactions. His cerebral palsy and dystonia is maintained with oral medications. Braeden has a very active younger brother and sister, who he adores and loves playing with. A trike would mean he gets to ride a bike with his brother and friends in the neighborhood. Inclusion is something they value as a family, and are hoping this Rifton trike will allow Braeden to be included with his brother and sister and his friends in our neighborhood!
Braeden’s best quality is his smile, it will light up a room! Hes extremely outgoing and everyone is a friend to him. We really enjoy spending time in the outdoors and camping as a family. He loves going fishing and playing outside with his brother and sister. If he chooses an indoor activity you can catch him watching youtube, or watching his brother play games on their playstation.
The opportunity for activity and inclusion is so important for every child, especially those with special needs. Braeden will get his bike from generous Variety KC donors – please help other kids get the bike they need too! Donate today at varietykc.org/donate/
