Strength for Bray
Donation protected
Braelyn is an eight year old little boy with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, epilepsy, non functioning pituitary gland, he's blind in his right eye, and strictly tube fed. He is non verbal, non ambulatory and considered medically fragile.
Anyone that knows Braelyn; knows that he usually wears a smile on his face and his mama is the apple of his eye. He loves music with his friend Bret Michaels being his favorite singer.
On December 22, 2019 Bray started running a fever and began coughing. His mother, Kendra contacted his pulmonologist and they prescribed steroids to him. That night he slept in bed with his mother. She kept a close eye on him and cared for him. On December 23, 2019 we could all tell that Bray was really sick. He was coughing and sleeping a lot. His mother tried to wake him up but, he did not respond. He continued to cough and snore but, he would not wake up. She contacted 911 because she was terrified that something was terribly wrong with him.
The ambulance arrived at our home to transport Braelyn to the hospital in Owensboro, KY. Once there, they chose to put him on a ventilator and transport him to Norton's Children's Hospital in Louisville, KY. She was advised by doctors that he had the Human Metapnuemo Virus. He remained on the ventilator for days. There was inflammation in his gall bladder that was considered to be caused from a virus, fluid around his right kidney, and his Co2 levels are elevated. His labs from Owensboro Regional are showing sepsis and elevated liver enzymes.
Because of Braelyn's high muscle tone from cerebral palsy; he cannot gain weight like an ordinary child. He burns calories faster than we can put them in so, he is underweight. In medical terms it's called Failure to Thrive. Braelyn also has a non functioning pituitary gland and thyroid issues that contribute to his size. A lot of children with cerebral palsy are diagnosed as Failure to Thrive. He lost 6 lbs. within a week of admission to Norton's Children's Hospital and his weight still continues to fluctuate. Because of weight and size; the hospital chose to call CPS.
An investigator from Jefferson Co. CPS came to the hospital to investigate the allegations and was advised by a forensic nurse that there was no need to believe that this was any kind of neglect and stated that he was just sick. That investigator then had to notify Daviess Co. CPS of her findings and they were not able to take the case because of a conflict of interest. Once that was established; the case was then transferred to Ohio Co. The social workers there have never even seen Braelyn; except in pictures. Kendra was contacted by a CPS supervisor over the telephone on December 27, 2019. She advised Kendra that an ECO was given to the state. There are numerous supporting documents that have not been given to the court and the hearing has been set for January 28, 2020.
On 1/10/20 Braelyn was returned to PICU. He has continued to run a fever and one of the physicians has mentioned that they are concerned that he may be septic. My daughter was contacted by a social worker and she advised her that Braelyn was going to be released in a couple of days and being placed in a Foster Home in Russell Springs, KY. This is three hours from our home. A special needs child like Braelyn cannot handle the stress and trauma from being removed from their home or their family. Myself and others feel that Braelyn's mental and physical health is being jeopardized; we fear for his safety.
The family and Braelyn are trying to cope with the illness and his health situation. This time has been very traumatizing and emotional. Since the time Braelyn was born, we have not known how long God will let us keep him and now more time is being taken away from us.
I am starting this campaign to help with Kendra and Braelyn's expenses during this time. There has been and going to be additional travel expenses, possible legal fees, and misc. expenses.
The family appreciates any and all donations to help allow Kendra and Braelyn to remain together.
Thank you in advance.
Anyone that knows Braelyn; knows that he usually wears a smile on his face and his mama is the apple of his eye. He loves music with his friend Bret Michaels being his favorite singer.
On December 22, 2019 Bray started running a fever and began coughing. His mother, Kendra contacted his pulmonologist and they prescribed steroids to him. That night he slept in bed with his mother. She kept a close eye on him and cared for him. On December 23, 2019 we could all tell that Bray was really sick. He was coughing and sleeping a lot. His mother tried to wake him up but, he did not respond. He continued to cough and snore but, he would not wake up. She contacted 911 because she was terrified that something was terribly wrong with him.
The ambulance arrived at our home to transport Braelyn to the hospital in Owensboro, KY. Once there, they chose to put him on a ventilator and transport him to Norton's Children's Hospital in Louisville, KY. She was advised by doctors that he had the Human Metapnuemo Virus. He remained on the ventilator for days. There was inflammation in his gall bladder that was considered to be caused from a virus, fluid around his right kidney, and his Co2 levels are elevated. His labs from Owensboro Regional are showing sepsis and elevated liver enzymes.
Because of Braelyn's high muscle tone from cerebral palsy; he cannot gain weight like an ordinary child. He burns calories faster than we can put them in so, he is underweight. In medical terms it's called Failure to Thrive. Braelyn also has a non functioning pituitary gland and thyroid issues that contribute to his size. A lot of children with cerebral palsy are diagnosed as Failure to Thrive. He lost 6 lbs. within a week of admission to Norton's Children's Hospital and his weight still continues to fluctuate. Because of weight and size; the hospital chose to call CPS.
An investigator from Jefferson Co. CPS came to the hospital to investigate the allegations and was advised by a forensic nurse that there was no need to believe that this was any kind of neglect and stated that he was just sick. That investigator then had to notify Daviess Co. CPS of her findings and they were not able to take the case because of a conflict of interest. Once that was established; the case was then transferred to Ohio Co. The social workers there have never even seen Braelyn; except in pictures. Kendra was contacted by a CPS supervisor over the telephone on December 27, 2019. She advised Kendra that an ECO was given to the state. There are numerous supporting documents that have not been given to the court and the hearing has been set for January 28, 2020.
On 1/10/20 Braelyn was returned to PICU. He has continued to run a fever and one of the physicians has mentioned that they are concerned that he may be septic. My daughter was contacted by a social worker and she advised her that Braelyn was going to be released in a couple of days and being placed in a Foster Home in Russell Springs, KY. This is three hours from our home. A special needs child like Braelyn cannot handle the stress and trauma from being removed from their home or their family. Myself and others feel that Braelyn's mental and physical health is being jeopardized; we fear for his safety.
The family and Braelyn are trying to cope with the illness and his health situation. This time has been very traumatizing and emotional. Since the time Braelyn was born, we have not known how long God will let us keep him and now more time is being taken away from us.
I am starting this campaign to help with Kendra and Braelyn's expenses during this time. There has been and going to be additional travel expenses, possible legal fees, and misc. expenses.
The family appreciates any and all donations to help allow Kendra and Braelyn to remain together.
Thank you in advance.
Organizer
Cherish Buck
Organizer
Owensboro, KY
