Twas the Night before Take off..

Hello Friends!

Well tomorrow morning we take off from Omaha headed for DC. I am sooo excited! I woke up this morning and could hardly contain myself knowing I had just over 24 hours before I would be heading to the airport. Headed towards the experience of a lifetime. There are so many emotions right now, it would be really hard to explain just how I feel. I am so honored to have been chosen to be Nebraska's 2012 Children's Miracle Network Hosptials Champion! The wonderful people at Children's are now part of my family. I hope I make you proud! I have the utmost gratitude and respect for my medical team who has helped me get where I am today. Without them I know I wouldn't be here to share my story, my life. And I am blessed. Blessed for the many many gifts in my life. The many friends and family who love me and who have supported me even before I was born.   I am very excited for the next seven days. Seven days to meet and get to know so many other families who have expriences like mine. Seven days to make memories with my new Champion Family. Hold on tight, it's going to be a wild ride!!

Love to you all,
Brady

Nebraska Champion Announcement

Hello everybody,

This week has been very exciting!  My family and I went to the airport on Monday.  My parents told me that we were going there to talk to and meet a bunch of very nice people.  I was very excited as I thought we were going there to get on one of those big airplanes and fly to Disney World to meet Mickey...boy was I wrong! Instead, these kind people mom and dad told me about had decided to throw a little party for me to tell everyone I was Nebraska's Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion.  When we got to the airport, there was a huge sign on the wall with my name on it, the biggest cookies I've ever seen and lots of shiny balloons!  I met some great people from Delta Air Lines and Westlake Ace Hardware. After we talked for a while, I was able to walk under the tallest basketball players ever into the middle of everybody taking pictures and video of me.  Mom and dad talked for a while then the nice people at Delta gave me the VIP treatment at the airport.  I don't know what "VIP" means, but whatever it means, I sure do like it!

They took my family and me on a tour of the airport. We got to see the big x-ray machine, walk on the parking lot where the planes park, sit on some very cool looking trucks, use the orange wands that direct the planes.  Best of all I was able to sit in one of those big planes. The pilots of the plane I was on even let me go into the room where they drive the plane. I think it’s called the cockpit?  I love to push buttons and turn things on and off to see how they work, so this was the best place ever for me!  Mom and dad, can we get an airplane to play in?

When we were all done with our tour, the generous folks from Delta Air Lines gave me a ton of toys and clothes and even let me take one of those big cookies home. And of course, all of the balloons! Thank you Delta,  Westlake Ace Hardware, and of course all of the terrific people at Children's Hospital & Medical Center right here in Omaha!  If it weren't for the amazing people at my hospital I wouldn't be here today!

My mom and dad told me I have to have one more surgery to make my heart even better and looking at the calendar, I go into the hospital one month from today. I will have a heart cath-where they put a wire into my heart and do tests, and then the next day, on June 5th, I'll have my final surgery.  I'll get to see my friends at the hospital again, I only wish it wasn’t going to be for a surgery.  As I've done with my past heart surgeries, I'll post all of the update and details to my CaringBridge Page. So check back here and on CaringBridge for updates from the hospital.

I can't wait for more Children's Miracle Network Hospitals events. Maybe next time I can go on a train or to see Mickey!

You can check out a video of my big day here: Introduction of our 2012 Champion.  Here are some pictures too.

Brady's Story

Brady
Age 4
Children's Hospital & Medical Center Foundation
Heart Condition

Brady only has half a heart, but it is a heart of gold.

When Brady’s mom was 36 weeks pregnant, she learned her son would be born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, meaning only the right side of his heart would function properly. Brady would need multiple surgeries to survive.

Through each surgery and treatment, Brady has shown amazing courage. Brady loves to play with toy cars, trains, and blocks. With the playful command “All aboard!” those nearby can’t help but respond to this warm and friendly little boy.

Brady’s encouragement and positive spirit inspires other children around him. Whenever he meets new friends, he shows them they can do anything they put their minds to. Brady and his family look forward to the future when his physical heart will be as strong as the love he already has for others.

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champions

Champions is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals program that brings attention to the important work being done at its 170 children’s hospitals. It does this by honoring 54 remarkable kids who have faced severe medical challenges, and helping them tell their stories.

The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2012 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.

The Champions travel for a week in September, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state representatives on Capitol Hill and visit the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. While there, Champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals corporate partners, hospital representatives and media partners. These groups convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.