Owen
Tiffin, OH
Owen is 8 years old and lives in Tiffin, OH. He has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, scoliosis and lung disease. Owen was the 2014 Holiday Kids Campaign beneficiary for the Ohio region. The ATI Foundation provided a grant of $2,000 for Owen’s new ComfyLift Bed and assistance with expenses related to his weekly medical appointments.
“He has a smile that can lighten the darkest days...we struggle financially, but I get paid with huge loving smiles and hugs, and I wouldn’t change that for the world...I want the very best for him.”
- Melissa, Owen's mother
Owen was born at 28 weeks, weighed 2 pounds, 6 ounces and had severe brain and lung bleeding. During his first year of life, he underwent 15 surgical procedures. His diagnoses include cerebral palsy, spastic quadroplegia, epilepsy, hydrocephalous (with VP shunt), chronic lung disease, bronchio pulmonary dysplasia, bronchiomalacia, tracheomalacia, asthma, hypotonia, hypoxia, hypothyroidism, clonus, scoliosis, chronic hip displacement, obstructive sleep apnea and a compromised immune system.
Today, Owen has a feeding tube, wears hand splints and ankle-foot orthotic braces. He has trouble sleeping at night and is in a wheelchair; he cannot sit up on his own. Owen gets sick often, especially during the winter months, and is in need of a positional mattress that will assist with his respiratory issues and sleep apnea.
Melissa, Owen’s single mother, travels long distances 2-3 times per week for Owen’s therapies and medical appointments. She has devoted her life to taking care of her son, and has not been able to work since the day he was born. Melissa’s decision to keep Owen in her care at home has left her with minimal financial and emotional support.