Life

The Brolsma Family- Benefit for Baby Brooks

August 31, 2012

Now that I have children of my own, I am even more aware of just how precious the lives of little ones are. I recently learned about a young couple that are in need of our help. I just can’t even imagine what they are going through and continue to face each and every day. My heart aches for them.  

I ask that if you are able to help this family that you please do. Whether it be through prayer, donation, spreading the word or all of the above. (All of the above!!!) 

 Below is their story. Please read and come together to help Baby Brooks and the Brolsma family. 

                                                   
First time parents Owen and Allie Brolsma have been on an emotional roller coaster starting twenty weeks into pregnancy when they found out their brand new baby would be born with a birth defect. It was discovered that Baby Brooks would be born with Congenital Heart Disease. 1 in 120 babies are born with a heart defect. 

Successful treatments of congenital heart defects require highly specialized care, which meant that Owen and Allie would have to travel to Las Vegas, Nevada to give birth to their first child and get him the care he would need immediately after breathing his first breath.

Brooks was born four weeks early and it was discovered that he also suffered from PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus). Soon after an infant is born, the lungs fill with air and the Ductus Arteriosus is no longer needed. It usually closes in a couple of days after birth, but Brooks’ did not. They had to surgically close it. Brooks was then put on a ventilator to assist him with getting oxygen to his tiny lungs. Soon, Brooks was getting big enough to try and ween him off the ventilator with only a tube in his nose to help him learn the basic function of breathing on his own. It was then discovered that Brooks’ nasal cavities were too small for the tube to be much help and the Brolsma’s were faced with the option of waiting for him to get bigger to have a surgery to expand his nasal cavity or surgery for a tracheostomy. They opted for the trach and feeding tube. Since this last surgery, the happy couple have been able to spend whole days and nights with their baby to learn how to care for him at home. Brooks still has a few more surgeries in his future for his heart and the removal of the trach, but things are starting to look up for this new family. They still have regular doctor visits but the likelihood of celebrating Brooks’ 1st Birthday here at home looks brighter and brighter everyday.

The benefit described below is to help the Brolsma family with the growing pile of medical bills for Brooks. Allie hopes to return to teaching in Virginia City this fall and Owen hopes to be able to stay home with Brooks to ensure he gets the 24 hour care he needs. All the money raised from this benefit is given directly to the Brolsma family, minus the initial costs of running the tournament.

Please come and join us Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Empire Ranch for some golf, food and fun. For more information please contact Linda.Brolsma@igt.com

Not A Golfer?

Join us for an assortment of food and raffle prizes
$20 suggested Donation
Please RSVP via Email: Linda.Brolsma@igt.com

Registration Deadline October 1, 2012

Please make check payable to:
Benefit for Baby Brooks
Wells Fargo Account# 3651111761
Mail Donation/check/prizes to:
Linda Brolsma 775-292-0496
4890 Aquifer Way Carson City NV 89701

Thank you so much!

The Brolsma Family

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