Brad was born with an open back - literally. The medical name for this defect is Spina Bifida. There are many people with spina bifida with little defects, but Brad's was severe enough to cause total paralysis from the waist down, total incontinence, mild learning disabilities, hydrocephalus (water head), scoliosis, lung difficulties and seizures. He has more surgeries than I can count or remember, many of which happened before I was even thought of (I am the younger sister). Through the years Brad has taught me how to love, how to be grounded, how to be appreciative, how to nurse for the right reasons, and how to be patient. Brad and I have always been very close - I sometime think we were meant to be twins, just born at different times :). Despite Brad's challenges he maintains a smile, never stays mad, is always happy, is very adaptive to his situation, and never complains (sometimes not a good thing - this is why we are in the hospital now). His theory is - "Everyone has challenges, you can just see mine."
After he graduated High School he went to live in a great group home in Alabama. However, the costs began to add up and we ran out of funds, so Brad came to live with Jason and I in Mississippi. He lived with us for many years, but in 2006 he became very sick and we felt it was best that he got more one on one care - by this time I had Weatherly (2 years old) and Tennyson (9 months old) and he was the last to get attention. We placed him in a group home that held many promises, but did not keep many of them. We were very frustrated so we moved him closer that promised even better services - but kept less promises and cared for him less. Brad finally ended up in a nursing home. We thought a nursing home would be horrible - but it ended up being his favorite place to live. He went to bingo regularly, he played checkers with the recreation director, he flirted with the nurses, and he would visit other residents in the activity room. He loved it :)! Unfortunately, it was a short lived experience. On August 27, 2008 he died unexpectantly from complications of congestive heart failure.
Brad is now walking, running, dancing and playing baseball in heaven. Praise God for ulimate healing.
Brad, hanging out with you still brings a smile to my face. Thank you for being a great friend. Hit a home run for me up there.
Posted by: Jim Axelsson | April 13, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I love you Brad!
Posted by: Nikki | September 08, 2008 at 10:38 PM