Brooklyn's Medical Bed

Brooklyn is an incredibly inspiring 4 year old brain cancer survivor who I was fortunate enough to get to know and love unconditionally as her preschool teacher over the last year. Brooklyn was diagnosed with an Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid brain tumor at 10 months and was treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. This intensive treatment has left Brooklyn with severe, life-long medical issues including daily tonic-clonic seizures, oral sensory aversion, and dual sensory loss (i.e. loss of much of her functional vision and hearing.) Educationally, Brooklyn is classified as having multiple disabilities and presents with global developmental delays. At 4 years old, Brooklyn is still working on mastering her understanding of basic cause and effect and requires intensive one-on-one adult support and guidance to safely access and explore her environment.

Brooklyn is non-verbal and her vision and hearing impairments make it incredibly dangerous for her to be left unattended, even while she is sleeping. Brooklyn's AMAZING parents (who have two other children with special needs) have been repeatedly denied by their insurance over the past year to get Brooklyn a bed that will ensure her safety and address her complex medical needs. Right now, Brooklyn is sleeping on an enclosed trampoline that her parents have had to cover with pool noodles and duct tape so Brooklyn can't chew on anything that might harm her. Needless to say, this isn't enough to address Brooklyn's needs. (The picture below is Brooklyn's bed now)



Last week, Brooklyn escaped from her bed, knocked her dresser and bookshelf over, and was trapped underneath the trampoline, absolutely terrified, when her mother came to wake her up in the morning. She NEEDS this medical bed as soon as possible, but even with a discount from the manufacturer, the cost comes to be $10,000, which is far more than her parents can afford.  The Kayserbetten Hannah medical bed provides an adequate barrier and includes safety precautions that will ensure that Brooklyn will be safe during her seizures, will not damage her brain shunt during her sleep,  and can actually have room to stretch her (very mobile and wiggly!) little body without being exposed to severe injury or harm. (The picture below is the Kayserbetten Hannah medical bed that will adequately keep Brooklyn safe through the night)

Brooklyn is a fighter. She has experienced more in her 4 years of life than most of us will in a lifetime, but she still greets each day with a smile and a desire to learn and explore. Brooklyn has changed my life in endless ways over the last year and now it is my chance to change her's. She deserves the basic human right of having a safe place to sleep. Without this bed, she is exposed to extreme risks to her safety and health each time she falls asleep. Please help us raise the money to provide Brooklyn with the medical bed that she needs! Any amount you can spare is greatly appreciated and will help us toward our goal! Help give Brooklyn and her family something that I know each of us takes for granted each day: the peace of mind to sleep soundly and safely at night.