The Canning Family

Meet Cole Canning, a spitfire of a little boy who once used to live life to the fullest in his crazy toddler world. Cole is now only 5 years old and can barely walk or eat on his own as he is trying to battle a rare disease called Mitchell’s Syndrome. Cole is only 1 of 16 people to be diagnosed with this disease, and it most recently took a turn for the worst. This family will do anything for anyone except ask for help, and we need your support more than ever.

Cole’s Mom and Dad, Nacole and Matt, started noticing behavioral issues around age 3. These issues turned out to be related to unexplained bi-lateral hearing loss. Cole started with hearing aids which didn’t work, so he quickly became a candidate for cochlear implant surgery…unfortunately after many months of activation, they never worked either.

Cole and his family have been through all kinds of crazy testing trying to find answers, and they finally have a diagnosis through genetic testing: Mitchell’s Syndrome. Cole is one of 16 people worldwide who have been diagnosed with this disease. Some characteristics are hearing and vision loss, balance and mobility issues, and loss of motor skills, as this ailment attacks your nerves. Unfortunately, there is no cure, and the only medications that are available are in trial. The only certainty with this syndrome is that you are left with limited time to be with your loved one.

Most recently, Cole has been having difficulty walking and eating and tiring more quickly, causing him to fall and pass out unexpectedly. Cole's parents decided to take him to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) as his walking declined rapidly. Unfortunately, this visit ended up becoming an extended stay, with no answer to how long he will need to stay.

Watching your child decline before your eyes is a hell no parent should ever go through, especially with an unknown disease. But, Nacole would give the world to everyone if she could. Yet, she still comes to work with a smile and as positive as ever. While learning sign language along with her husband and trying to teach their 7 year old daughter a new way to communicate with her little brother, she still holds it together for everyone.

A group of us put this gofundme together because we need all the help we can get. Nacole and Matt are just like our family too. We feel for them, and we hurt with them. Our goal is to help ease the burden of medical bills that will be piling up, time away from work, renovations needed to make their house wheelchair accessible, and the new medical equipment he will need. Having to decide to go to work or stay with your child that needs their parents more than ever should never have to be a decision. Unfortunately, in this crazy world we live in, we know that bills don’t stop, but our goal is to help ease the strain as much as possible so they can give Cole and Aubrey their full attention.

We need your help! Let’s come together and help Cole, Aubrey, Nacole and Matt adjust to and navigate this new and challenging time. Anything at all will help, and we thank you so much for reading Cole's story. Please spread the word and share our fund. Also, please check back for updates on Cole. If you want to learn more about Mitchell’s syndrome, you can check out https://www.mitchellandfriends.org/syndrome. While you’re there, you can check out Cole’s bio, as it has a little more information in it about the progression of this disease. Or if you visit Cole’s Journey’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/183445480561677/?ref=share, Nacole has been posting his battle with Mitchell’s along with recent updates when she can. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.