Our Stroke Hero for September 2009 is the Hero who started the journey for Childhood Stroke Awareness (at least for us); Brendon Spear

Brendon was selected because of his being the inspiration behind Brendon’s Smile…Raising Awareness for Childhood Stroke.  It was a little over two years ago that Brendon’s mother Jessica felt a desperate need to reach out and tell Brendon’s story.  Jessica wanted to raise awareness as a way to celebrate Brendon’s miraculous life.  To honor Brendon, Jessica decided to organize a walk to raise awareness for the youngest survivors of stroke; she chose September as it was the month Brendon was born.  It was Brendon’s dad (Stephen) who came up with the name Brendon’s Smile… as it is Brendon’s smile that gives them hope.  Jessica and Stephen felt that by sharing Brendon’s story and vibrant smile they could give other families hope for their children. 

Brendon, unbeknownst to his family, had a stroke before his birth.  It is through modern technology that they were able to determine that Brendon’s stroke actually occurred before or near his 28th week in utero.  It was at the same time that Jessica and Stephen got a glimpse of their precious boy via a 3D ultrasound.  They were mesmerized by his beautiful little face. They even joked about his left-handedness at that time.  Brendon’s parents were excited with the hopes of him someday becoming a left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals—their beloved team. 

It didn’t seem overly odd for Brendon to be left handed, as his mother is left-handed too.  The problem, and more importantly the HUGE CLUE that there was something wrong was his early hand preference!  Today Brendon’s parents know that a newborn baby or a young child should not have a hand preference until close to his/her second year. 

Not only did Brendon have a hand preference, his left limbs always moved first.  Brendon would move his left leg and then two to four weeks later he would have similar control of the right leg.   Sometimes movement on the right side would trail by two months. 

Brendon has worked incredibly hard in his short four years to keep up with his environment, his peers and to live life to the fullest…  Those who follow his story know that Brendon participates in a laundry list of therapy sessions each week and attends pre-school 3 hours a day, 4 days a week. 

As Brendon grows, his parents discover new challenges that he will have to face.  One of Jessica’s favorite sayings is “Where’s the manual for kids with Strokes”?  It is the lack of useful knowledge and apparent vacuum in medical research that lead to the foundation of Brendon’s Smile.

Some have expressed concern regarding Brendon and his participation as the focus of the foundation.  Jessica and Stephen admit there was more than a little trepidation and a great deal of soul searching before deciding to allow Brendon and his story to be told.  Brendon, however takes it all in stride.  Reporters, photographers, public appearances and well-wishers are all greeted with (what should be a trade-marked) Brendon’s Smile.

Because of the inspiration he has given his parents, family and friends to educate others on this phenomenon, the hope he provides, and the joy he brings to all that know him we honor Brendon Spear as the September 2009 Hero of the Month (which just so happens to be his birthday month as well)!