Long Story -
On July 9, our lives changed forever. Aiden was riding his motorcycle to work—just a few short blocks away—when he was involved in a serious accident. Moments later, a police officer appeared at our door urging us to get to the hospital immediately.

When we arrived, doctors told us Aiden wasn’t expected to make it through the night. The next 72 hours were critical. Seeing my son lying there—motionless, connected to tubes—was the most heartbreaking experience of our lives. His brother flew in from Iowa, and the three of us stayed by his side, praying and encouraging him to wake up. And he did.

Within five days, Aiden made remarkable progress and was moved to the discharge floor. We rejoiced as he began smiling, talking, eating, and walking again; he has such a humorous side to him too—milestones we’ll never take for granted.

Aiden has always been passionate about helping others. He works as a Behavior Technician at a local non-public school, where he supports students with special needs. He absolutely loves his job, his students, and going to work every day. His compassion and dedication to others have always been at the heart of who he is.

As Aiden continued his recovery, we slowly began planning for his return home. His older brother returned to Iowa, and his dad and I tried to resume work. Every evening, I would rush to the hospital after school, eager to see what new progress Aiden had made.

But on July 18, something changed. Before leaving, he gave me one last hug (a little longer and tighter than the others); the thumbs up he showed to his dad; and the words “I love you mom” will forever be etched in my memory. By the morning of July 19, Aiden was rushed for an emergency brain scan. Doctors told us there was severe bleeding and swelling in his brain, and that pressure was rapidly increasing. We had to make an immediate decision to move forward with a craniectomy, even after hearing there was less than a 40% chance of survival.

We were able to see him before surgery—he was heavily sedated, surrounded by machines, and our heart broke into pieces. We prayed together with the surgical team before they wheeled him away. The four-hour wait felt like forever.

In the weeks that followed, Aiden endured eight critical surgeries. Each time, we were told to prepare for the worst—but we refused to give up. On September 12, we flew to Texas in search of hope and specialized care to help Aiden’s body “wake up.” Within two weeks, he received his cranioplasty, and for the first time, he had a full head again—even if with a prosthetic.

Today, Aiden continues to defy the odds. He’s trach-free, his shunt is successfully working, and he’s made small but powerful progress—like moving his right arm slightly, tracking with his eyes, and even enjoying a bit of ice cream and Sprite during a swallowing session.

We’ve reached the point where the best place for Aiden is home—to be surrounded by love, comfort, and familiarity. While no one can predict his long-term recovery, we believe in his strength and in the power of prayer.

While insurance will cover some of the costs, there are still many out-of-pocket expenses for essential items and medical supplies that Aiden will need daily—things like cleaning materials, syringes, gauze, briefs, wipes, soap, and other necessities. He will also need a hospital bed, shower chair, and lift to ensure his comfort and safety.

Every donation received will go directly toward these needs and help us make Aiden’s homecoming safe and supportive. Our goal is to keep him comfortable, pain-free, and surrounded by love while continuing to make memories together.

Through it all, Aiden’s resilience, compassion, and faith continue to inspire everyone who knows him. Thank you for keeping him—and our family—in your prayers.