Brandon’s Run:
I’m the mom of a young adult who was born with a life-threatening esophageal birth defect. He had seven corrective surgeries before he was five and hundreds of medical procedures. He’s now 29, healthy, thriving, and independent. But so many other parents have children struggling to recover from surgeries and enduring medical procedures related to the same defect. So I’m particularly pleased to share guest blogger Lori McGahan’s post about a fundraising event to raise awareness and research money for kids like ours.
Our Gift
In honor of all the EA/TEF families
My husband and I tried for ten years to have a child, unsuccessfully. As our ten year anniversary approached, we accepted the fact that it was not meant to be and were re-evaluating and planning our lives without children. As hard as it was to accept, we knew that everything happens for a reason and perhaps someday we would understand.
First Time Parents
Two months after accepting our new course in life, we learned I was pregnant. The joy and amazement we both felt, as well as the shock as I am sure some of you may know. It is like waiting for that long-anticipated gift, accepting it will not come and then “surprise!” So in true first time parent fashion, we were getting things in order for our new life that would involve this truly beautiful gift.
On April 9, 2007, we welcomed our son Brandon into the world. Little did we know our road would take us on such an unexpected path. You see, Brandon was born at thirty-one weeks gestation. At the moment, we accepted the fact he might have some medical problems from being born early; however, we did not expect what was to come. On April 10, we were pulled aside by a team of doctors. We were told that our son was born with a rare birth defect known as esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, which in easy terms essentially means his esophagus stopped growing and was not connected to his stomach. Unfortunately, we also learned that infants born with EA/TEF can potentially have other birth defects which may have formed. As you can imagine, this was a shock to both my husband and me.
Acceptance, Not Why Me?
We had many questions, but key to us was acceptance, not “Why me?” We accepted what may lay ahead and knew that as hard as the road may be, we were given this gift for a reason. As we dealt with multiple surgeries for our son, and the uncertainty of his future, we felt we needed to do more, to share this gift with others in some way. In true McGahan fashion, Brandon’s Run was created: www.brandonmsrun.com.
Brandon’s Run
Brandon’s Run is an approved Community Fundraiser of Children’s Hospital of Boston. We knew we did not want the fundraising for this event to be about funds for us, but a future means to help other families who may have an EA infant or perhaps aide in future research regarding EA/TEF.
So simply put our motto has always been this. We have all ready received the greatest gift that anyone could ask for and that is our son. If our son’s story can educate one person or aid in the research of just one child that alone is reward enough for us.
On August 27, 2011, we will be holding our Fifth Annual Brandon’s Run: Little Miracles – Big Hearts. To learn more about our event and/or how to donate you can visit www.brandonmsrun.com. You can also visit our Brandon’s Run Community Fundraiser page at www.howtohelp.childrenshospital.org.
In sharing our gift with all of you we have received so much. Newly found bonds with fellow EA families and folks like you, who have donated time and resources to make Brandon’s Run possible. In honor of all the EA/TEF families and on behalf of the McGahan/Dorman family, we thank you!
No, Lori, We Thank You!
Don’t you just love Lori’s attitude? Not Why me? but What can we do? If so, leave a comment about how Lori’s example has inspired you. Or tell us about other proactive families and fund raising events where you live.
Jolene
