This is my youngest nephew, Shaun.

Shaun was born with metopic craniosynostosis, a condition where the bones in an infant’s skull fuse too early, preventing normal brain and skull growth and causing a triangular-shaped forehead.

At just 6 months old, Shaun underwent his first major surgery to relieve pressure on his brain and reshape his skull. Since then, he has endured surgery after surgery — at ages 4, 6, 11, and 12.

On March 23rd of this year, Shaun went through his sixth major surgery to remove infected bone paste and damaged tissue.

And his journey is not over yet.

If you know 13-year-old Shaun, you know he is truly one of a kind. He’s the kid who is kind, thoughtful, and never forgets to say “I love you” — even waking up from anesthesia. He loves baseball, fishing, spending time with his two older sisters (and their boyfriends), his dogs, and being with his friends at Ground Zero at Eagle Brook Church.

But over the past year and a half, Shaun’s life has been consumed by illness.

He has been battling a relentless cycle of infections, high fevers, severe headaches, fluid buildup, and painful rashes. What doctors have described as a chronic “ague” has kept him in a constant state of sickness — taking away so much of his childhood.

After countless doctor visits and procedures, the cause was finally discovered:

the bone paste used in his previous surgeries is being rejected by his body.

Instead of helping him heal, it has been breaking down and causing ongoing infections — including multiple forms of staph — and serious complications.

His most recent surgery was a critical step to remove that failing material.

But it’s only part of the solution.

To truly heal, Shaun now needs advanced cranial surgery with a specialist in Texas. This will require out-of-state travel, extended hospital stays, and highly specialized care.

Shaun’s mom, Kim, is a single parent who has been carrying this entire journey on her shoulders. As the primary caregiver to Shaun and his younger sister Taya — with support from her & his oldest sister, Kaylee — she has navigated endless hospital stays, appointments, and emotional strain with incredible strength.

Now, she is facing the overwhelming financial and logistical burden of traveling to Texas for Shaun’s next surgery and recovery.

We are raising funds to help cover:

• Medical travel and lodging for extended stays in Texas

• Specialized cranial surgery and follow-up care

• Ongoing medical expenses

• Household stability during time away from work while Kim remains by Shaun’s side

Shaun has spent his life being kind, inclusive, and supportive of everyone around him.

Now it’s our turn to show up for him.

He has fought so hard for so long. Our hope is to help him finally get through this chapter so he can go back to being a kid — with his sisters, his dogs, and on the baseball field where he belongs.

If you are able to donate, we are deeply grateful.

If you can’t, please consider sharing.

Thank you for supporting Shaun and his journey to healing.