Parker Walsh, Baseball and Medical Fund

Hi Everyone! This is for Parker Walsh, or Parkerman. Please help him get his senior wish with a party with the Seattle Mariners. His mother has been working hard to get The Make a Wish people on board. They denied him because although he has a life threatening condition they couldn't determine his life expectancy. He really just wants a party. A big party. Go Big or Go Home. So in some way- We will make it happen for. His mother would like to take him to spring training and meet the Seattle Mariners. We will be working on a game plan and community fundraisers soon. Please ...share his story. With a little help from his friends, I know we can make this happen.

PARKER TRULY IS A ONE OF A KIND KID.

The doctors from Seattle Children's Hospital, lead by Dr. Michael Cunningham, of the Cranial Facial Team along with the best doctors in the world, have never seen a case like Parkers. At birth, the genetic team thought he had a syndrome called Klippel Trenaunay Weber- which involves hypertrophy (enlargement) of bony and soft tissues, improperly developed lymph system and large AVM's (malformation of blood vessels). Now- the BIG doctors feel perhaps he is a twin that just did not split. Since his brain is also "unique" the two halves are probably different genetically, he may be involved in some leading edge brain research to understand processing.


Parker has spent countless days and surgeries at Seattle Children's Hospital. His first surgery was at 6 months old for a brain VP shunt to remove excessive fluid from his brain. In addition, his body loses protein through his digestive system. He has had several hospitalizations to replace albumin in his blood. When it was very severe he was put on a pallative treatment of TPN, or total parenteral nutrtion. His central line also got infected and he was septic. Parker required IV antitiotics 24 hours for several months. Today most of that has stabilized, but he benefits from a low fat and high medium chain diet- or MCT diet to maintain protein in his body. Through it all, with all his therapies and hospitaliztions, Parker is probably the happiest kid someone could meet. He radiates happy!

Something really amazing happened to Parker Walsh. It was like he had an awakening.
He has always been a happy kid if you know him his laugh is contagious. Up until about 2 years ago he didn't say much at all. He spent hours at his computer looking at YouTube videos, and li...stening to music. Music would come on....and he would dance. Something clicked for him. He started talking..and his memory is amazing. He knows sports, and music and cars and weird random facts. His sense of humor is spot on. it's all there. I think music is the key. Whatever it is it's cool. He always could have been a Make A Wish kid, but the requirements are a kid has to be able to say what they want. Finally he said it- a baseball party- a big one. You got it kiddo. Smile on Parkerman.
He has always loved baseball and sports and has most facts and stats memorized. He is one smart cookie. At WF West High School in Chehalis, they made him the sports radio announcer.

Dr. Jennifer Polley of Northwest Pediatrics wrote this letter to the Seattle Mariners to appeal to them.

To Whom It May Concern:
Parker Walsh is a 17 year old patient at Northwest Pediatric Center, and I am his primary care physician. I have treated Parker since he was a toddler, and he has multiple hospitalizations related to complications from his diagnoses. Recently his mother requested that we submit an application to the Make A Wish foundation, but as it turns out, Parker did not qualify for Make A Wish because his medical condition has stabilized and is not life threatening. His physical status, is very fragile, his diagnoses are life long, and include:
1) hemimegenlencephaly
2) hydrocephalus
3) blindness left eye
4) growth hormone deficiency
5) hypothyroidism
6) developmental delay
7) intestinal lymphangiomatosis
8) vascular anomaly/venous insufficiency (AV malformations)
9) dental issues secondary to # 1
10) kyphoscoliosis
When in conversation with Parker's mom, our case management nurse asked what Parker's wish would have been, had he qualified for Make A Wish. She said that Parker would like to attend a Mariners game with his family, and also love to meet some of the players personally. Physically, this young man will never be able to play baseball, so perhaps his "dream" is even more poignant. Parker would be forever grateful.
We strive to serve families in a creative variety of ways. It is our goal to offer multi-level of care that sometimes extends beyond clinical settings. Thus, on Parker's behalf, I would like to request Mariners' tickets to a home game for Parker and his family, and if possible personal interaction with team members.

Parker's mom has given me permission to write this letter and communicate with you. Thank you so much for considering our request.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Polley, MD
President, Northwest Pediatrics


Friends please share his story- thank you!