Meet Grant
Sam and Liza's first and only son,Grant Harrison Gabriel, arrived strong and healthy in October 2016. He quickly developed a charming personality with his big smiles, laughs, and mannerisms. Grant enjoyed his first holiday season spending time with family and gazing at the many colorful Christmas lights. 2017 was then off to an encouraging start. Grant and his big smile were a hit with his new daycare teachers and classmates. He was very playful and inquisitive from the beginning. In his first 5 months, he seemed to make progress each day. Sam & Liza felt truly blessed to watch him grow so fast, discover his toys, read along with his books, or dance to his favorite songs.
Thankfully Grant had been healthy through nearly 5 months. Then on February 28, one day after Sam’s birthday, the daycare called to say Grant had a fever and needed to be brought home. From that point on, life would never be as easy for little Grant or those close to him.
By March 1, Grant was in the ER and then to the PICU once the doctors were able to confirm a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. The next days were beyond painful to see his condition only get worse. Infections in his blood and then also in his lungs were exasperating the efforts of the growing team of doctors and nurses urgently working to save Grant’s life from this sudden attack. In less than 24 hours, these infections had taken the life out of little Grant, going from the lively baby boy to a hospital patient unable to breathe on his own with enough wiring and tubing connected to him to frighten any parent. The early days at the hospital were lived hour by hour but miraculously his condition did improve. The infections were treated with strong antibiotics and after the first week, Grant was breathing on his own again. However neurologists confirmed through MRIs that the damage had been done. Grant was truly lucky to be alive but the meningitis devastated a major amount of his brain and he had completely lost his hearing as well. Doctors anticipated a diagnosis of cerebral palsy for Grant going forward and that he was expected to lose speech and motor skills. After almost 4 weeks in the hospital, Grant and his family were now on an entirely new path in life that involved a many doctors, various therapists, and specialists dedicated to providing the best chances for Grant’s future.
In the coming months, Grant would undergo 2 surgeries for a cochlear implant and for a feeding tube. The cochlear implant has restored a sense of hearing again and the feeding tube ensures he gets the complete amount of nutrition and medicine needed. Grant has been seeing physical, occupational, audio, and speech therapists. There has been progress but it is very slow process. In addition to the daily therapies, there are growing needs for specialized equipment. Special standers, wheelchairs, custom arm and leg braces are all needed to provide support and proper posture while he grows without the ability to control his own body. Grant is now over 7 years old and has been through very much, yet there is still so much more to his journey. Part of Grant’s care also involves traveling to attend workshops and receive specialized treatments when possible. It is to continue to provide all possible opportunities for Grant that, every year, we fundraise to help with some of Grant’s annual medical care expenses.
Why We Are Fundraising
With a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegic cp, seizures, severe developmental delays, dysautonomia and hearing loss, Grant’s family is dedicated to providing the best opportunities for Grant today and going forward. It is a blessing to be located in a city with a high concentration of pediatric doctors, specialists, and therapists that provide critical treatment on a daily basis. However, the cost of care for a disabled child is very overwhelming and has only added to the stress of the situation. With Grant’s future in mind, the family is kindly asking for support to help with additional therapies, specialized care and equipment, and other available treatments. These therapies and equipment’s help Grant’s improve on his abilities, skills as well as not lose any range of motion and maintain best quality of life possible.
Grant is not able to attend a standard school because of his medical complexity and had been attending a private school that specialized in caring for special needs children. This year will be his first where he will be home with a caregiver to support his needs. Grant was fortunate to receive a stem cell therapy treatment from his own cord blood through Duke University. This is a clinical trial level treatment that Grant was able to receive under an expanded access. To maximize results from this and other treatments, we are attempting multiple stem cell sessions combined with his intensive therapy program. The generosity of so many loved ones and strangers alike has been graciously appreciated with each day that Grant endures. This little one’s life is still so early and there is so much faith that there will be the right support and resources to give Grant the best chance going forward. Thank you for taking the time to get to know our CP Warrior Grant and his story.
Help Grant Go Beyond The Expectations
The Numbers: We anticipate out of pocket costs of $35,000 – $45,000
per year to attempt 2-3 treatments in addition to caregiver expenses,
prescriptions, supplies etc.
Completed Treatments 2017- 2023
2 Cord Blood Stem Cell Treatments at Duke University - $4,000
Fascia Therapy Workshop in Toronto - $4,000
Caregiver Workshops for Brain Injured Children in Philadelphia $6,000
Stem Cell Treatment - $16,000
Four Rounds of Napa Intensive Therapy Session in Austin - $3,500 each
Vibrating Plate & Neuro-muscular Stimulation Unit - $1,315
Stem Cell Treatment - $16,000 each
Doman International Therapy Program - $10,000 a year
Two Napa Intensive Therapy Sessions in Austin - $3,500 each
Specialize Equipment - Approx. $950
Target Treatments for 2024-2025
Two-Three Napa Intensive Therapy Sessions in Austin - $3,500 each
DMI Equipment Box Set - $500
Two Stem Cell Treatments - $12,500 to $16,000 each
(Highest Rated Stem Cell Facilities for CP Treatments)
Please contribute today to help provide for
the best resources for Grant.