Hi, my name is Alecia Young! Pictured above is my 7-year-old son, Noah Young. Noah is a kind, energetic, loving child that has overcome SO much at his young age. When Noah was born, he was not breathing on his own, and he spent 6 days in the NICU due to his health conditions. He was diagnosed with absence of the corpus callosum, absence of the septum pellucidum, as well as hydrocephalus. At 4 months old he had to undergo surgery for his hydrocephalus. Over the years, Noah received therapy through channels like ECI (Early Childhood Intervention), Horse Therapy, and Angels of Care. A little after turning 3, Noah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This age is when he started wearing leg braces to help assist him in walking better and has had to wear them ever since.

My son, who struggles to walk, ride a bike, and run around the yard or playground with friends and family, does all this with a smile on his face. Although it is something he has to struggle to accomplish every day, he does it. He pushes through his pain, because he does not know what it is like to walk WITHOUT pain. I would have never imagined that something I have taken for granted my whole life, would someday turn into something that I thank God for the ability to do without struggle, and pain. Unlike my son. Noah has been a pillar of humility for my family and I. Noah has taught us not to take life for granted, and what a blessing that has been!

If I can define my son by two words, it will be determined and resilient. Since birth his resilient will has helped him overcome every unexpected thing that has come his way. As he grew older, it morphed into determination. Determination to experience and succeed at everything he does and wants to do.

Over the years, Noah has experienced many trials, and overcome many tribulations. There have been times where he has experienced shame, anger, and sadness over his disability…but by the grace of God, HE STILL OVERCOMES!!

I say all this to say that Noah will be receiving a major surgery this coming May called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, which will hospitalize him for 6-8 weeks, in a hospital that is roughly 5 hours away from home. He will have to be away from his dad, sisters, brother, and other family members, which will be the longest he’s been apart from them. Once he gets home, he will continue recovering, and start receiving therapy to teach his body how to walk again. This procedure can take up to 1 year to heal from, with permanent results at about 2 years post-op.

Humility is not something that comes easy, so this is challenging for us to have to ask for help from people, especially strangers, but I am humble enough to know we will need it. During many months of this time, I, his mother, will be out of work to be with him and be his main caregiver. I am asking for any help that you can give to help with any medical expenses, bills, household expenses, hotel fees, food, gas, etc. My husband will continue to work but going from 2 incomes to 1 is going to be a big hit on our household, but this surgery is something he must get done. Anything you can give would be greatly appreciated by my family and I!

With a grateful heart, sincerely,

The Young Family <3