Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: Casey’s Story

When I first started blogging, I thought there would be a time that would be perfect for me to share our story about Casey, our youngest son. The time has come, and although I won’t go into huge detail in this post, I did want to briefly share with you.

Casey was born in late June 1997, he was 10 pounds 3 ounces, yes, a very big baby. Shortly after his birth, the pediatrician told us that he suspected that Casey had some sort of genetic problems, but he simply couldn’t be sure until his 2 week check up. So we spent the following 2 weeks, praying and talking to every family member we could think of to see if there was anything they could tell us that might help the Doctor.

At the 2 week check up, the Doctor confirmed that there was something abnormal with Casey, but he couldn’t be sure what it was. He sent us directly to the University of Chicago, and within minutes the team of Doctors there confirmed that Casey has Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome.

I could bore you with a very long description, with words I can’t pronounce, but the long and short of it is that the openings in his skull were fussed before birth {craniosynostosis}, which gone un-diagnosed would not allow for any brain growth, and eventually death.

Over the next several years, Casey underwent many surgeries to correct the problems. I’ll save that for another post, but for now, let me tell you that we Thank God everyday for the Doctors who saved his life.

Casey is a straight A student, plays sports and has lots of friends that he enjoys hanging out with. He will turn 15 soon, and we have been blessed every single day with him in our lives!

So why am I telling you all this? Because May is the Month for Miracles for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Walmart celebrates 25 years of contributing to miracles at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® (CMNH) across the country.  These miracles occur because Walmart associates and customers care enough to support children in their local communities.

Since 1987, Walmart has supported CMNH by raising and contributing more than $600 million to help 170 children’s hospitals across the country.

Founded by Marie Osmond and her family, John Schneider, Mick Shannon and Joe Lake, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has grown dramatically since its founding in 1983 from a televised fundraiser in a small studio to one of the North America’s leading children’s charities.

They were founded with two simple goals…

1. Help as many children as possible by raising funds for children’s hospitals.
2. Keep funds in the community in which they were raised to help local children.

So on your next trip to Walmart, if an associate asks you to donate $1 to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals…if you can…please help! You may just be helping a child like our son, Casey.

Disclosure: This post is part of a campaign I am participating in with the Walmart Moms. Walmart has provided me with compensation and product for this post. My participation is voluntary and opinions, as always are my own.