The silly goose in the goggles is Carston. He and Max have been best buddies for as long as they've known each other. Carston is one of the most resilient little boys I know. He was born with several malformations of his right lower leg and has had many surgeries in his nine years. The casual observer would never know from watching him swim, play soccer, jump on his trampoline, and generally be a little boy that he spends much of his time in wheelchairs and leg braces.

Carston's leg can't sustain his growth, and his pain continues to increase every day. There is no more conservative treatment; the doctors have recommended a below-the-knee amputation. Their pediatric prosthetics provider is in Denver, which means Mom and Dad (she works for D38 and he is self-employed) will have to drive an hour 2-3x/week to make sure his new leg works. He'll have tons of physical therapy and other visits as well.

I'm raising money to help pay for gas for their trips to Denver, for groceries, and to help with chores around the house that may languish as they focus on Carston over these next several months.