Meet Our Champion: Blake
Likes: Cub Scouts, Minecraft, being in school with friends, a good hot bubble bath, cozy pajamas, and his guinea pigs
Dislikes: Spending too much time at the hospital, pot roast, watching “girly TV” with his sister, getting his nightly injections, and losing at UNO
Hospitalizations: Blake has experienced multiple hospitals in multiple states. He has had over 18 surgeries and over 30 sedated procedures.
Therapies received: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, as well as Speech and Feeding Therapies when he was younger
Nine-year-old Blake can play Minecraft like a champ. He also loves hanging with friends and siblings, and caring for his pet guinea pigs. While his days are filled with fun and friends, they also include many hours spent caring for his health.
“Blake has 19 ongoing diagnoses with no overarching cause. He has spent many, many days in the hospital, had 18 surgeries and over 30+ sedated procedures,” explains his mom, Kim. “We are seen in multiple hospitals in multiple states.”
Kim adds, “We have our favorite nurses, the patient registration and valet parking attendants that we love the most, and we are whiz kids on the patient portals for every hospital system. Blake can operate a hospital elevator like a champ and is great at remembering to get his parking ticket validated. He’s been through more in his 9 short years than some have in a lifetime but you would never know it. He’s a hero of a kid.”
Blake is not only described as a hero by his family, but a super-friendly, outgoing one at that! Currently in a wheelchair due to a muscle biopsy this week, Blake missed several days of school while he recovered. “According to one of his teachers, when he finally rolled back into class, he exclaimed ‘What’s up party people!’ and everyone came running to him,” shares Kim. “He is quite the social butterfly and thrives around other kids and adults, as well.”
At home, Blake is the middle of three children. He loves playing video games, Bey Blades and Legos with his older brother, Wesley (12). “They share a room and talk until they fall asleep at night,” says Kim. “Wesley is a fierce protector and has run to Blake’s rescue on many occasions. After hospital stays, Wes is often the first to meet us at the car upon our return to help get Blake’s stuff and hug his brother. And Blake thinks Wesley hung the moon!”
His younger sister, Molly (6), is described by their mom as “Blake’s shadow.” “Everything he does is either cool or hilarious,” shares Kim. “They drive each other crazy more than the other two, but they also snuggle more than the other two. Molly will read with Blake, watch cartoons with Blake and play games with him. They have a very special relationship.”
Blake and his entire family have been actively engaged in a number of Better2gether events and activities. “Our children have really loved the art classes, holiday gatherings, and the 5K in 2019,” says Kim. “All of the programs that Better2gether puts on for our family have been such a beautiful way for us to socialize, spend time with, and enjoy being with families that are very much like ours.”
