Help support Aiden’s second first ride

Aiden is one of the most joyful, active, loving, and compassionate kids I know (and of whom I have the privilege of being a mom to). Loving hanging out with buddies from school, playing sports, and hunting/fishing any chance he could; Aiden truly lived and loved life to the fullest. You would think that when this 15-year-old was suddenly diagnosed with heart failure and needed open heart surgery to implant an LVAD losing his ability to play sports, needing constant supervision and not being able to swim; that he would lose some of that joy. But Aiden is just not that kid. On the contrary, his fervor for life and faith has only increased. He constantly leaves doctors in amazement at his remarkable recovery and attitude consistently pushing the limits on life with a heart pump. With his future still unknown and the looming likelihood of him needing a heart transplant, our family of 7 counts each day with him a blessing.

Fast forward 9 months and he is turning 16. Although he never said it outright, his wish, like any other boy his age, was for something with wheels. So as part of a birthday present, we gifted him with a truck (that he willingly contributed to) and would get to pick out with us. Now granted Aiden did not ask for a new truck, but, instead had his heart set on a 30-year-old Silverado he had found about 4 hours from our house. So Aiden, Dad, and Grandpa made the trek to get it and after checking things over, headed home. About 2 hours into the trip back, something blew and the truck caught fire on the side of the highway. Thankfully everyone was able to make it out but the truck was a total loss. Dreams of his first car literally up in smoke.

My husband and I are not people to ask for much beyond prayers, but many have reached out wanting to help with this situation. If no money is donated, we would still be so thankful for just another opportunity to share Aiden’s ongoing story and for others to follow along and watch how God continues to write it.

(the picture is of him opening his license that had come in the mail while in ICU).