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On June 15th, 2010, my nephew was diagnosed with a birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, also known as CDH. Basically, while in utero, Brady's diaphragm did not form properly, causing a number of internal issues. His organs that should have been in his abdomen were forced through the hole in his diaphragm and pushed into his chest cavity, crushing his lungs. My sister and Brady's father were faced with a very difficult decision, as many doctors did not foresee Brady being alive long, if at all, after birth. They accepted the fact that their son would not live an easy life, but wanted to give him the chance to live period, and continued with the pregnancy.
On October 13th, 2010, Brady Collin Passieu was born. He spent the first 65 days of his life in the NICU at Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. where he endured multiple surgeries to correct his CDH, including an emergency surgery, where we almost lost him forever. "Successful" is not exactly the right word to use when talking about how these surgeries have helped him live like he does today, "necessary", is a better word. Doctor's were able to close the hole in his diaphragm and "pin" his organs into place, doing what was necessary for him to survive. In return, a whole new list of complications arose.
Over the past five years, Brady has encountered countless medical issues; more surgeries, illness's, diseases, medications, a back brace, speech therapy, emotional and behavoir disorders, learning disorders, sleep studies, feeding tubes, occupational therapy, endoscopes, colonoscopies, hospital stays, ER visits, you name it, this kid has had it. All of these issues have led us to where we are today.
Since Brady's intestines were never given the chance to form properly, he's always been considered a "failure to thrive" child. Meaning, in a nut shell, he doesn't eat much, he has a hard time gaining weight, and can be in pain after small meals. Recently, Brady became very ill and couldn't keep a single thing down. After what felt like an eternity, Fairfax Hospital found adhesions from previous surgeries blocking his intestines, making it impossible for Brady to pass anything through them, and forcing everything to come back up.
On Friday, September 4th, he went through a NINE hour surgery to help clear the adhesions, remove his appendix, and place a G-tube into his stomach. In case you didn't know, nine hours is longer than most people sleep, work, or attend school on a daily basis...and he's only four. After the hell he has already been through, he developed a blood clot in his arm and his lung, where he will now receive shots in his leg, twice a day, for the next three months, to help the clots from causing harm.
There's no telling what the future holds for Brady, or when he will come home, or go back to school, or if he'll live a less stressful life one day, all we know is that he's a fighter, a superhero, and he'll never give up.
With Brady's struggle has come the struggle that his parents have faced as well. Those first 65 days of his life in the NICU, were his moms first 65 days of living in a hospital chair, in his room, next to his bedside, that she rarely left. She has never missed a doctors appointment, hospital stay, surgery, therapy meeting, school meeting, sleep study, or any other type of event that Brady has been through. She has had to take time away from work, friends, relationships, parties, vacations, fun, etc. all to be with her son throughout his struggle. Brady's dad has been a wonderful father to Brady and loves him so much. He has been at the hospital everyday, even after a recent career change, and has been a huge financial and emotional help throughout Brady's life.
My husband and I have decided to start this campaign to help off set some of the costs for medical bills, insurance expenses, travel, gas, food, and all the other lovely expenses involved with having a special needs child. We love you guys more than you'll ever know and can't thank you enough for taking on these every day challenges that you all know, as life.
Brady has always been our superhero, so now it's time for us to thank you for being his.
#TeamBradyStrong
Love,
Erin and Adam Roeder
On October 13th, 2010, Brady Collin Passieu was born. He spent the first 65 days of his life in the NICU at Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. where he endured multiple surgeries to correct his CDH, including an emergency surgery, where we almost lost him forever. "Successful" is not exactly the right word to use when talking about how these surgeries have helped him live like he does today, "necessary", is a better word. Doctor's were able to close the hole in his diaphragm and "pin" his organs into place, doing what was necessary for him to survive. In return, a whole new list of complications arose.
Over the past five years, Brady has encountered countless medical issues; more surgeries, illness's, diseases, medications, a back brace, speech therapy, emotional and behavoir disorders, learning disorders, sleep studies, feeding tubes, occupational therapy, endoscopes, colonoscopies, hospital stays, ER visits, you name it, this kid has had it. All of these issues have led us to where we are today.
Since Brady's intestines were never given the chance to form properly, he's always been considered a "failure to thrive" child. Meaning, in a nut shell, he doesn't eat much, he has a hard time gaining weight, and can be in pain after small meals. Recently, Brady became very ill and couldn't keep a single thing down. After what felt like an eternity, Fairfax Hospital found adhesions from previous surgeries blocking his intestines, making it impossible for Brady to pass anything through them, and forcing everything to come back up.
On Friday, September 4th, he went through a NINE hour surgery to help clear the adhesions, remove his appendix, and place a G-tube into his stomach. In case you didn't know, nine hours is longer than most people sleep, work, or attend school on a daily basis...and he's only four. After the hell he has already been through, he developed a blood clot in his arm and his lung, where he will now receive shots in his leg, twice a day, for the next three months, to help the clots from causing harm.
There's no telling what the future holds for Brady, or when he will come home, or go back to school, or if he'll live a less stressful life one day, all we know is that he's a fighter, a superhero, and he'll never give up.
With Brady's struggle has come the struggle that his parents have faced as well. Those first 65 days of his life in the NICU, were his moms first 65 days of living in a hospital chair, in his room, next to his bedside, that she rarely left. She has never missed a doctors appointment, hospital stay, surgery, therapy meeting, school meeting, sleep study, or any other type of event that Brady has been through. She has had to take time away from work, friends, relationships, parties, vacations, fun, etc. all to be with her son throughout his struggle. Brady's dad has been a wonderful father to Brady and loves him so much. He has been at the hospital everyday, even after a recent career change, and has been a huge financial and emotional help throughout Brady's life.
My husband and I have decided to start this campaign to help off set some of the costs for medical bills, insurance expenses, travel, gas, food, and all the other lovely expenses involved with having a special needs child. We love you guys more than you'll ever know and can't thank you enough for taking on these every day challenges that you all know, as life.
Brady has always been our superhero, so now it's time for us to thank you for being his.
#TeamBradyStrong
Love,
Erin and Adam Roeder
Organizer and beneficiary
Shannon Thomas
Beneficiary