Our daughter Brooke was born  December 28th of 2010. We were so excited for our first girl and expected everything to go smoothly that day. However, the moment she was delivered, our hearts sank.

    Brooke failed to breathe effectively and her vital signs were poor. I did my best to stay strong and positive for my wife, but as a 12 year Paramedic, I knew how dismal the situation was, and how critical her condition.  All we could do was pray, and we havent stopped since.

    She was miraculously resuscitated and stabilized by an amazing hospital staff. The next two weeks were the worst of our lives, for we did not know if our daughter would survive, and if she did, what challenges would she face in her life? At the two week mark, she began to thrive somewhat, and  three weeks later she was allowed to go home! It was amazing to finally have our angel home!

    After only a few short but wonderful months of having her home, we began to notice her head become quite large, deformed,  and she seemed to be in constant pain. We took her to a specialist who diagnosed her with craniosynostosis, (fused skull bones), and hydrocephalis (fluid on the brain). He scheduled Brooke for an immediate cranial vault reconstruction to make room for her swelling brain.

     This surgery unfortunately failed. To make matters worse, blood was found under her dura (the sack around the brain) and an emergency shunt had to be placed. 3 months later, another shunt was placed to address the fluid in the ventricles of her brain. At this point another reconstruction was attempted, but it too failed. There was not enough bone left to work with, so we had no choice but to leave her in this state until more bone grew. Her shunt lasted almost 2 years, but it became infected and required emergency removal along with a few weeks in the pediatric intensive care unit.

    At this point, I can truely say my wife and I were emotionally spent. We went through all of the routines of life. We put on forced smiles, and told everyone we were doing just fine, but on the inside we were not.

    It seemed every time Brooke would recover frome one major surgery, it was time for another. She was in a perpetual state of pain, discomfort, and recovery. She never had a chance to learn to crawl, roll, or talk. Just when she would start to show signs of progress, it was time for another opperation or illness. 

    Over her first 3.5 years on Earth, our little princess has endured a horrofic barage of surgeries and more pain than any child should have to bare.  She has endured it all in a way that I can not explain. I feared that as a result of these trials, Brooke would lose the twinkle in her eye or that she would forget how to smile, but she has not. Somehow, some way, she is thriving. She is beyond happy and she spreads this happiness to all who meet her. She is my hero.

     Brooke had a third and successful surgery to reconstruct her skull in July of last year, and no major surgeries since then! She is currently healthy and shunt free. This last year we have been full of joy as we finally have a chance to focus on getting her caught up physically and cognitively. She goes to physical, speech, and occupational therapies on a weekly basis. 

   Last November, we were told by her therapist that if we did not get Brooke walking immediately that she would likely spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair and never walk. This news struck us hard. We began to research night and day for the best pediatric physical therapy center in the United States. A few days later we found The NAPA Center in Los Angeles, a center that specialized in some of our daughter's specific delays and challenges.  

   We pushed Brooke into the NAPA center in her wheelchair in early December of last year. After a 3 week intensive therapy session, she walked out on her own using a walker. It was a miraculous improvement, we never would have dreamed of such progress in such a short period of time! 

   She needs to go again! Our hope is to take her back 2-3 times a year until she is walking on her own! This is where you come in, and as hard as it was for me to write her story, I find this part almost more challenging. I am a proud man. I work hard and I have a good job with insurance. Inspite of this, the expenses that we face as we get Brooke the specialized care she needs are daunting.

    We have reached a point where we could use some help. Several family members have already donated to Brooke and many others have offered, but I in my pride have refused. I relize now that I, am standing in the way of one of the most kind acts man can perform; to give charity. Brittany and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. May God bless each and every one of you!


Justin, Brittany, Lincoln, Dallin, and Brooke Evans