Help in the outreach Tristan Cole Schilling Fund

We are the Schilling Family. We recently and unexpectedly lost our son, brother, and friend Tristan Cole Schilling on November 22, 2023, at the age of 27. This fundraiser was created in Tristan's honor to provide continued advocacy and support that will positively impact disabled individuals and their families in our community. Further details are provided below.

Tristan was a special needs individual from birth who had Cerebral Palsy, Scoliosis, a neurological impairment, and other rare conditions that doctors believed would prevent Tristan from surviving past birth, let alone thrive in life. From the beginning, Tristan defied all odds, started talking at the age of 3 (and then had many many things to say), recovered from potential blindness at the age of 5 due to receiving groundbreaking medical treatment in Rome, Italy, conquered extensive spinal fusion surgery at the age of 15 (plus a two-year recovery), graduated from Dallastown Area High School, advocated for disability rights for himself and others alongside a PA state senator in the State Capitol against high-profile health insurance executives, studied communication and mass media at York College of PA, and fought every day through severe physical and mental disabilities to live, thrive, and be the loving, caring, ambitious, talented, joyous, and funny person everyone who connected with him knew him to be.

In honor of his life, his challenges, and all those people in the community who were a huge part of ensuring Tristan lived life to the fullest and accomplished many of his life goals, we are starting a Tristan Cole Schilling Fund. The Fund will provide an ongoing and long-term positive impact in our community where there is a tremendous ongoing need for supporting people with disabilities and their families. The Fund will provide scholarships to people with disabilities and support community-centered organizations such as United Disabilities Services, Shriners Hospital For Children, The Miracle League of Harford County Maryland, Make-A-Wish, Leg Up Farms In York, PA, and many other organizations that positively impacted Tristan’s life and are focused on supporting those with disabilities and their families. While we are providing some of our own funds to develop, grow, and implement this Fund, we invite anyone from the community to help us complete this initial fundraiser, in honor of our beloved Tristan, as we explore long-term options for continuous good works and giving in Tristan's memory.

All Are Welcome At Tristan’s Celebration Of Life Service on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at The Living Word Community Church

2530 Cape Horn Rd

Red Lion, PA 17356

6:30 PM (EST) Visitation

7:30 PM (EST) Service

Please wear blue or a splash of blue accessory in honor of Tristan's favorite color blue.

You can also live stream the service at https://vimeo.com/event/3946533/730e573402

Thank You For Your Kindness & Support,

The Schilling Family