Bode's Therapy Room

Dear Supporter,

"Life doesn't always go as planned." This summarizes what my husband, Chad, our 8-year-old son Bode and I have endured over the past 11 years.

When Chad and I first started dating in 2002, we had occasional conversations about getting married and raising a family one day. Little did we know that our family’s battles and struggles would be far beyond what we would have EVER imagined.

In 2004, Chad and I moved to Hugo, Minnesota. We found this cute split-level house that was supposed to be our “forever home”. After we were married in 2011, we wanted a family. We learned the hard way that getting pregnant and sustaining a pregnancy was not so easy. I miscarried four times. In 2014, I found out I was pregnant for the fifth time and was finally able to maintain the pregnancy. Chad and I were beyond thrilled! I think Chad was even more ecstatic when we found out our one and only child was a boy!

On December 30, 2014, our lives changed forever. I gave birth to Bode at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, Minnesota. Immediately after Bode was born, his breathing levels were not 100% so he was taken to the NICU. An ECHO on his heart showed Bode had an abnormal heart murmur and interrupted aortic arch. Our baby was taken by ambulance to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis on December 31, 2014. He had open heart surgery seven days later. During the seven weeks Bode was in the hospital, several other tests, x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs were completed. One x-ray showed that Bode’s large intestine was malrotated so genetics became involved. On January 6, 2015, the geneticist met with Chad and me to explain Bode was born with a rare genetic syndrome called “Emmanuel Syndrome”. It was further explained to us that he was going to be special needs which included brain delay and low muscle tone. She said, “it would be doubtful that he would ever walk or talk.” I have had moments where I cried but that night, I sobbed. Our dreams of having a “normal” child who would walk, talk, and play hockey were over.

From the minute Bode was born, life has been a battle for us, especially the first year as new parents. During one appointment at Gillette Children’s Hospital, the specialists told me that Bode had hip dysplasia, craniosynostosis, and torticollis. He had cranial reconstruction surgery when he was 9 months old and was in the hospital over his first birthday for severe dehydration. Bode also had to wear a cranial cap and a hip brace. To this day, he continues to wear orthotic feet braces. As I mentioned, we have had tough years.

Throughout the years, we adjusted to our new “normal” of being medical parents. We slowly found a staff of medical doctors, specialists, therapists, and social workers to help us along the way. Due to the sacrifices that Chad and I have made for Bode (e.g., we work opposite shifts to ensure he is in our care and has the utmost care provided.), our marriage has been strained. We have felt the effect of parenting a special needs child, yet we try our hardest to remain strong for one another and Bode.

Then it was my turn for medical complications. In 2018, I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and went through chemotherapy. To this day, I continue a routine regimen that consists of daily medication and a chemotherapy secretion injection every 12 weeks. This secretion is to suppress the estrogen from carrying potential cancer to the rest of my body. Each of these injections costs $7,000.

During 2020, Chad and I concluded that our home was not appropriate for Bode’s present and future needs. It was time to make a move for our family of 3. We built our new 1-level “forever” home that is more suitable for Bode’s needs. A wonderful organization called SENSE-ational Spaces has designed a therapy room for Bode in our unfinished basement.

Since Bode’s therapy room is going to need specific adaptive equipment, I am hoping and praying for donations through GoFundMe to support this project.

One nurse in the Children’s NICU commented that “Bode isn’t any ordinary kid.” She was right, he’s not. Bode makes you appreciate all the little things in your life. He is a hard worker but is the sweetest child who has a unique effect on everyone he encounters. Bode has a warmth to him that you can feel, gives the best hugs & snuggles and will look into your soul with his beautiful blue eyes. For those who know Bode, he instantly finds a place in your heart and love you never knew you had.

Our little family has fought and has overcome so many challenges since the minute Bode was born. Throughout it all, we remind ourselves how blessed we have been that Bode has remained healthy and has continued to progress, just at an extremely slower pace.

Please help us in giving Bode the therapy room that he so much deserves and needs to continue to grow and develop. I know one day he will walk on his own and it’s going to be with the help and support of donators like yourself.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Christine Leick

Cash or check donations can be sent to:

Bode Leick

13310 Fondant Trl. N.

Hugo, MN 55038

Venmo: @Christine-Leick-1