My Inspiration

So when most people are asked who their inspiration or their heroes are, hearing the answer is a kid is usually unexpected. But my hero is my 9-year-old nephew, Kaidon. He is the definition of a miracle. Of all people to look up to, someone who can go through so many things and keeps a smile on his face makes him my first choice.

My nephew was born in 2003 and was born premature. When he was born, he was only 2 lbs. The doctors all told us that he was sick and it was unclear how long he would truly live. We all hoped for the best but expected the worst. To hear all the doctors talk about expiration dates for someone some young and little was a scary and sad thing, especially for my brother and the mother, Bethany. They were both young and very inexperienced which made them at a total loss as to what to do. At 15 years old, she was faced with a harsh reality; That she may have to bury her child in a too-soon future. No parent, let alone one that young, should ever have to face that.

Though against the odds, they chose to fight. He was a life worth fighting for and everyone around him was ready to do anything to see this little boy live through it all. Doctors would report, telling us to prepare that Kaidon won't live to see 1 years old, let alone 2 or 3. We got 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinions. As a unit, we stressed any option possible to make life a possibility for him. 

Against the odds, he has survived past the little stamp the doctors had decidedly put on his foot. Through impossible high's, low's and terrifying surgeries, he still smiles and brings joy into the lives of everyone around him. 

Surgery in 2010

Kaidon getting a blood transfusion. He needed 2 pints of blood.

Post surgery 2010

Through it all, he almost always has a smile on his face. Even during the times when it was getting close to him not making it, somehow he makes it through. Through all the odds and disbelief, this boy is proof that anything is truly possible. 

So when people ask me why I do what I do, I tell them it's because of him. I do it all for him and my loved ones around me. Everyday is something to cherish. Life is too precious to worry about 10 years down the road; its living for today and to enjoy every minute of it. I want to see the world and truly live to see everything around me for the ones who can't. Every time I hit somewhere new, I make sure to buy something to bring home to him. So that he gets his little taste of the world too.

This year, October, Kaidon reached his 9th birthday. We celebrated with a costume halloween party. This is only the 2nd time since his birth that he went a whole year without any hospitalization and 1st time that he did not spend a birthday in the hospital.

                    My inspiration; my hero; my nephew.