Hi, I am Luka's mom Sarah. Luka is an amazing 3-year-old boy. Luka had a traumatic birth where his oxygen was cut off causing severe brain damage and resulting in a birth injury known as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Luka spent the first 64 days of his life in the NICU, where he fought even more complications such as pneumonia which included him getting a spinal tap at just two weeks old to make sure no infection had spread to his spinal fluid.

While in the NICU, he received a cooling process right after birth to help subdue the damage that occurred to his brain. Unfortunately, the MRI shortly after revealed severe damage to both his brain stem and his frontal lobe. The head neurologist at Beaumont Royal Oak told us that cerebral palsy was all but certain. As Luka was recovering from his brain injuries we were slowly notified and made aware of some of the other issues that may arise from those said injuries. Those included epilepsy, as well as the ability to never be able to walk, speak or eat through his mouth. Upon being released from the NICU, he had g-tube surgery. We also were notified last second that Luka would have severe respiratory issues that very well may end his life abruptly at any time.

Luka has overcome so much and he is always such a happy boy despite all the things working against him. My husband lost his job in September and we are all hoping that he will find a job any day but, so far he is still unemployed. I will have to give up this intensive that we booked back in May if I cannot come up with the funds. I reached out today to cancel but in my ditch effort, I am going to try and hope that we still might be able to make it.