Braelyn's Journey to Independence

Braelyn has faced a variety of challenges, beginning with problems in her mother’s pregnancy, born with 6 heart defects and at 10 months old was given a diagnosis of a rare genetic arrangement and prognosis by the doctors that hit her parents like a brick wall. Her parents were told she would likely need 1:1 care for the rest of her life and that she may never crawl, walk, talk, etc. They wouldn’t accept that prognosis and have given Braelyn all the support she needs to defy the odds and so far she has.  Braelyn turned 3 years old in August and is on the verge of walking, with only one thing holding her back, and has been met with some extensive needs, beyond her typical needs. Added to her list of diagnoses is “acquired equinovarus deformity” due to tight strands of fascia in her calves and hamstrings. This causes Braelyn to compensate and stand with her toes at a 90 degree angle to her foot and bent slightly at the knees and/or hips, which obviously isn’t conducive to successful steps. Braelyn has had almost 3 years of traditional therapies, worn orthotics, and a variety of efforts to address this have been taken to no avail. There is an internationally known myofascial release therapy center in Philadelphia that has released the fascia in many children, setting them free to fully function. The Gillespie Approach  is very promising for Braelyn, but is not covered by insurance and the family needs to raise $2200 to fly her to Philadelphia and pay for the initial therapy sessions. If this does not completely resolve this issue for Braelyn, further visits or a surgical procedure are options but surgery is also not covered by insurance as it is only performed in New York and Texas and will cost around $14,000. Regardless of the release method she responds to, she will need additional therapy to “unteach” the compensation techniques she’s learned to deal with this in order to walk functionally, which will cost $640/month. “Pay It Forward” will be applied should funds raised surpass Braelyn’s needs. Excess funds will be used to support another family facing this struggle and get another child help. Thank you for being a part of Braelyn’s Journey!!

Please see updates section (click "see more" under latest update) for information on her current progress and needs.