Zach's battle

I had the privilege of hearing Zach’s story from his father, Bryan. What this family has been through is nothing short of overwhelming — yet not once have I heard Bryan complain. You can see the toll it's taken: the worry, the sleepless nights, the weight of it all.

And still, they press on.

Their strength and resilience are humbling, and I felt compelled to share their story. Please consider supporting this incredible family as they continue to face these challenges with courage and grace.

Our oldest son, Zach, has had a rough 22 years so far! He was diagnosed with autism at age 2, and we were told he would never be able to speak. He has gone through hours upon hours of many different therapies and special education, which have helped him live his best life. At age 15, he was attending a collegiate high school and working as a summer camp counselor. Unfortunately, he became sick in November of 2018, and over the past 6 years, he has become progressively worse. He has had 2 spinal surgeries and needs to have his skull fused to his spine, has had well over 80 ER visits, and has spent months in the hospital. 2 years ago, he lost the ability to walk and became bedbound. During this time, he has received many diagnoses: Cranio-cervical Instability, Adrenal Insufficiency, Mast Cell Activation, Posterior orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, Ehler Danlos Syndrome, Tethered Cord, Autoimmune disorder, Primary Periodic Paralysis, to name a few. His medical needs are 24/7, and his mom, Jaime, has had to quit working to make sure he is safe and his needs are being met.

Through all this, Zach's desire to make a difference in this world. Even with the odds stacked against him, he wants to open an art studio for people with special needs. He continues to maintain a positive attitude throughout all of this and is a true inspiration to everyone he interacts with.

The biggest thing that could be beneficial for our family is nursing care. Unfortunately, it is not currently being provided by insurance, and private duty nursing is extremely expensive. Without skilled care, we are unable to leave him safely. This impacts us emotionally, mentally, as well as financially, since Jaime is unable to work due to Zach's medical needs.

Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit of our story!

Bryan and Jaime Steen