Just shy of turning 4 years old, Cal was diagnosed with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. It's a devastating, progressive muscle-wasting disease that leaves muscle vulnerable to damage and inhibits it from repairing itself due to the body not producing a key protein called dystrophin. It affects 1 in 5,000 boys. The average age to lose the ability to walk is 12 years old. Without a cure, this disease eventually takes away one's ability to move, swallow, speak, and breathe. The average life expectancy is late 20s.

Currently, Cal presents like an average 4-year-old. Looking at him, you would see a normal, happy, and sweet little guy, bopping around playing, talking your ear off, or giving affection to his baby sister. He's loving, empathetic, observant, and thoughtful. While this disease can cause mental issues by affecting dystrophin in the brain, Cal has impressed his medical team with his sweet nature and emotional maturity.

That being said, annual medical costs are high. Without insurance, they can add up to over $400,000/year from medication, supplements, treatments, physical therapy, and his biannual clinic days that consist of visits and tests from his neurologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist, therapist, clinic PT/OT, and nutritionist. We will be meeting our out-of-pocket maximum every year, currently costing upwards of $15,000/year.

Eventually, he may have costs associated with medical equipment such as leg braces, a motorized wheelchair, lift equipment, etc. Along with those are items not covered by insurance such as a wheelchair-capable vehicle and accessible home renovations.

While this is a daunting diagnosis with inconceivable suffering, medical science is making incredible strides every year. They are working at great speed to make best-in-class, course-changing medicines and treatments for the near future, and curative medicines and treatments in the not-so-distant future. We have so much hope for Cal!

We have been incredibly blessed with people's generosity who have asked for us to create a GoFundMe with the intention of contributing. We plan to use funds to cover Callahan's medical costs, and anything not used immediately will go into a medical and educational trust that will be invested to grow for future needs.

Thank you so much for your care and support.