Dear Cal,
You are the reason this nonprofit was created. Similar to every other family raising a child with a brain injury, this is the last thing we would have ever expected to happen to our baby. You have gone through more pokes, prods, medications, treatments, and therapies in your two year lifetime than every aging person your mom and I know combined. You have brought a new level of resilience and perspective to our life. You have brought the most amazing people into our world. The brain injury community is strong and although we wish our family wasn’t in it, there’s a level of selflessness that exists in the community that is so beautiful. When your child’s life was and is on the line daily, there’s a camaraderie that exists like none other. Mom and I will always work to leave the brain injury world better than we found it…not only for you but for those that come after you. We are forever grateful that God chose us to raise you. With this nonprofit we honor you and the impact your life will have on us and our community. Cal, your life is special, you will always do more for others in this life than they will ever do for you- with your smile, laugh, and positive attitude and what a beautiful and unique place to be.
Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP), Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and Epilepsy may be your diagnoses but your love and light will be what people notice first.
Love,
Dad
Cal’s Story
Click on the photo (to the right) to read Cal’s story. This was written by Chloe. It is a perfect description of what happened not only to Cal but all of us. There is not a brain injury that occurs that isn’t unexpected and unbelievably traumatic.
Where’s Cal?
Because of Cal, we have been all over. July 2023, Cal, Darrell (Chloe’s father) and I went to the Mind Eye Institute in Chicago, Ill. Oct 2023, we spent 3 weeks in Boston, Mass at NAPA Center. Nov-Dec 2023, we spent over a month in Monterrey, Mexico at Nuerocytonix. Jan 2024, Chloe took Cal to a 3 week physical therapy and speech intensive in McLean, VA at Let’s Move Mountains and with Kelsey Brown SLP. Also in Jan 2024, we went back to the Mind Eye Institute in Chicago. End of March into Feb 2024, Cal went to Dr. Proefrock for stem cell treatment in Surprise, Az. In Feb 2024, Cal had two surgeries at Johns Hopkins Hospital (both same day). March 2024, Cal did his second 3 week intensive at Let’s Move Mountains with Chloe. April 2024, we were in Charlotte, NC for a week for a physical therapy intensive at MOVE Pediatric Therapy. June 2024, Cal and I ,went back to Dr. P in Arizona for his second round of treatment. While doing all this Cal still had PT, OT, and Speech every week. Countless trips to VA, Baltimore, St. Mary’s and Charlotte Hall for all sorts of other appointments.
Whats Next?
In late August, we will be going back to NAPA Center in Boston for another 3 week intensive. In Oct and Nov, we all will be traveling to Michigan for just over 3 weeks for another physical therapy intensive. Next year, we plan to go to Germany to be seen and do treatment at the Fedorov Restore Vision Clinic in Berlin, Germany for just under 3 weeks. Cal has been more places in his short time on Earth than his parents did in 20 years of their life. This wouldn’t be possible without the sacrifice Chloe made to take FMLA, eventually quit her job as a high school counselor, and then waitress at night so that Cal could be where he is today. She is the most selfless person I have ever met.
