Fight for Theodore

Dear Family, Friends and Caring Strangers-

I am writing to you with shaky fingers and a heavy heart to ask for support for my sister, Kaitlyn, my brother-in-law, Andy, and for the most spirited, vibrant and loving 2 year old I've ever met: my nephew, Theodore (or, as I like to call to him, Theo).

About Theodore:

I didn't even know such a small human could have so much love in his heart for his family... but especially for his Mama, his Dada, "Jack Jack", his "Nanny" (grandma), and his baby cousins. Theo is an absolute ray of sunshine; his outward energy and brightness may be the only things that come close to comparing to how much he is loved and adored.

Theodore's Story:

After having an extreme reaction to a very common virus called Roseola, Theo spent over a month in Nationwide Children's Hospital. Though children usually recover from viruses such as Roseola within two weeks, Theodore's story is much different.

Instead, a condition--so rare that "1 in a million" may be an understatement--made his little body attack his brain in response to the virus. After suffering a sudden seizure, his brain began to swell and he endured a coma for over a month.

Theodore has a rare disease called acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE), which is characterized by brain damage (encephalopathy) that usually follows an acute febrile disease, mostly viral infections. In Theodore’s case, he developed ANE from Roseola. As a result of this disease, Theodore has suffered swelling of his brain and, most concerning, the small microhemorrhages that were caused by ANE in the central part of his brain, which controls some of our most basic and important functions.

Because ANE is such a rare disease, not much research has taken place. We do know that there is no "cure", and it seems that the impact of ANE effects each child differently, making it hard to predict what the future will hold for Theodore. The one thing I am certain of is that the financial burden will be heavy.

Theodore is now home and improving every day. He is responding well to his environment and when prompted to wave or say "hi". Theo is working so hard to re-learn simple movements and motions, and it is obvious that he wants so badly to talk. He will make noises in response to questions or when spoken to, but he does remain nonverbal at this time. We are so hopeful for his continued development, and so grateful for all of the support received during this traumatic time.

How can you help?

Any donation, no matter how small, would be unbelievably helpful and appreciated.

Please, even if you are not able to donate, if you could share this with those around you, we would be so grateful.

Where will the money go?

Any and all funds raised will go towards Theodore's care and recovery, including: medical treatments, therapies, medications, hospital bills, etc. that may not be covered by insurance.

Funds may also be put towards the family's everyday life expenses and bills.

The last thing that I want is for Kaitlyn and Andy to have to ask themselves, "can I afford this treatment?". This situation is genuinely a parent's greatest fear, and my goal is that by creating this GoFundMe, it will alleviate any added stressors of money for them, and allow for them to be as present and hopeful with Theodore as is humanly possible.

Please continue to pray for a miracle. He's a fighter, and he is so very very loved.