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Besuche unsere zweisprachige Website / Please visit our website in German or English.
All funds will be deposited into a dedicated bank account for the association:
Alle Gelder werden auf ein eigens für den Verein eingerichtetes Bankkonto eingezahlt.
We are family
As a grandmother living in Switzerland, I am doing my best to support my daughter’s family in the United States from afar. They are raising three young boys while facing significant medical challenges. To provide help in a structured and transparent way, we created an association on the 20 April, 2026. I am very proud to share that this initiative brings together three generations supporting the fourth. We are a family—strong together, united by love and commitment. At the same time, we cannot do this alone. Your support—whether monthly or a one-time contribution—means more to us than words can express. Thank you for being part of this journey.
Our daughter Noa
She has a DCX gene mutation that affected her brain development before she was born, leading to a diagnosis of band heterotopia. During her childhood, she faced learning and developmental challenges and was also diagnosed with ADD. Even with those difficulties, her epilepsy didn’t start until early adulthood because of the brain malformation. In December 2023, she underwent a highly specialized brain surgery to implant dual deep brain stimulators (DBS). During the procedure, doctors placed four electrodes in her brain and implanted a battery on each side of her chest. These devices help monitor and record her epileptic seizures so the medical team can pinpoint exactly where they’re coming from. She’s one of only seven people in the world who have had this specific procedure.
The family
Their eldest son, Elijah, has level 2 autism and their two youngest boys have also been diagnosed with level 3 autism, along with Lissencephaly—a severe neurological condition caused by the same DCX gene mutation that Noa has. Lissencephaly affects their brain development and often leads to epileptic seizures, lifelong medical needs, and many other challenges. Their father, Ben, works a full-time job while studying for a degree in Cybersecurity (expected graduation 2027). He’s doing everything he can to support the family through all of this.
What is Lissencephaly?
Lissencephaly—literally “smooth brain”
It is a rare neurological condition that affects about 1 in 100,000 children. Just a few months after Cayden was born, he was diagnosed with it. The condition means the brain doesn’t develop the normal folds and grooves, leaving the surface unusually smooth. This results in severe developmental and learning difficulties, even with basic skills like swallowing, sitting, crawling, walking, and talking. There is currently no cure. Many children with classic/severe lissencephaly, like Cayden, are often given a life expectancy of around 5–10 years, mainly due to medical complications such as seizures, breathing challenges, and feeding difficulties.