Support for Sim

[Steve #1]

Those of you that have been around a few years may remember about four years ago my son, Sim, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The support from the HUMMER community was amazing from support and care packages to hospital visits from members we had never meet IRL. After two surguries Sim is still doing great and his outlook on life can completely turn around anyone just having a bad day. He has taken his experience and used it to encourage people to support causes that support people in his shoes. Last year he was selected as the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for Texas.

Sim is currently helping promote the Dallas - Fort Worth Brain Tumor Walk. I could tell you all about it but it is easier to let him tell you withthis segment from the local morning show.

So how can you support Sim? Sim has a team for the walk and he would love to see people join it. THERE IS NO COST to register as a virtual participant. That's right, FREE. Their goal this year is to raise awareness. If you would like to make a donation you can but there is no cost to put a smile on his face when he sees more people joining his team.

Tomorrow, Thursday November 7th is the last day to register which you can do here. http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/Events/BTW-TX/703321485?pg=team&fr_id=2095&team_id=64662

The National Brain Tumor Society raises funds that go to research as well as supporting victims, survivors, and their family. Not everyone that suffers from a brain tumor makes it through as well as Sim. Sim's uncle Danial died as the result of a brain tumor not long after Sim's was diagnosed.

You can see more of Sim's great attitude in this interview he did for tomorrow's paper. http://starlocalmedia.com/planocourier/plano-sixth-grader-thrives-while-living-with-brain-tumor/article_a944506a-4721-11e3-8c12-001a4bcf887a.html

“Your child has a brain tumor.”
Those are six words no parent wants to hear. But for Plano residents Steve and Vicki Scott, those words became reality when 6-year-old Sim was diagnosed with a grade II astrocytoma brain tumor in 2009.
“Back in the beginning when we would talk about it people would just start crying, like the sentence had been laid out,” Vicki said. “It’s not always that way and it doesn’t have to be that way. There are really no words to describe the rollercoaster because those are your first thoughts – how much time is there, what can I do to make the best of things now and how do I find the right people to take care of him.”
Two surgeries later, 95 percent of the tumor has been removed and Sim is thriving. The happy-go-lucky sixth-grader enjoys martial arts and recently joined his middle school jiu- jitsu team.
“Having a brain tumor can be really hard, but I usually just don’t think about it and enjoy life,” he said. “I think other people with brain tumors should not get too worried and always smile and look on the good side. Don’t be pessimistic about things, and think of the good that can happen in the future.”
Sim’s optimistic attitude and outgoing demeanor helped him get selected as the 2012 Texas ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champions program, which recognizes one child with a remarkable medical story per state.
“People see this young man who is working to be successful in life, not hiding in a corner saying, ‘Poor me,’” Vicki said. “He’s turning it into a positive thing. He’s trying to maintain that attitude and show people that it makes a difference. You can get the right care because the care and research are being funded. It’s really humbling to see as an adult what a child can do.”
Sim and his family will be participating in the Brain Tumor Walk on Saturday in Fort Worth to raise money and awareness for the National Brain Tumor Society. His team will walk not only for the NBTS but for Grey Matters, the Plano support group that has become the Scott’s second family.
Unfortunately, not all brain tumor stories have a happy ending, and the Higgins family of Arlington will be participating in the walk while grieving the recent loss of their daughter, Maddie, who succumbed to an aggressive brain tumor after a 22-month battle.
“When someone thinks of cancer they think of children with bald heads and sunken eyes,” said Patrick Higgins, Maddie’s father. “We were fortunate enough that Maddie’s condition didn’t impede her day to day health almost at all until the very end. We were able to live a life full of great experiences for her. She was a special kid and it’s been an enormous comfort for our family that her story has resonated with so many people.”
After a nondescript seizure in 2011 led to Maddie’s diagnosis, Patrick and his wife, Melanie, were devastated to learn there were no effective treatments for their daughter’s particular cancer.
Maddie had surgery, followed by radiation and chemotherapy, but a year later the cancer was back. A second surgery followed, but this past June led to the discovery of three more tumors.
July was spent marking off Maddie’s wish list, which included playing in the snow and building a snowman outside the Higgins’ home.
“We started her on hospice care in early August,” Patrick said. “She was able to start the first grade, which was so important to her. The day before she passed we were out at Ecofest in Arlington with friends having fun. Maddie was unaware of the severity of her condition, and she was not afraid because of that.”
Patrick said his family feels strong about championing the NBTS because their efforts will lead to research that will hopefully benefit adult patients and ultimately trickle down to child patients.
“Although there are thousands of different kinds of cancers, cure rates are very low to non-existent,” he said. “I’m devoted to spending the rest of my life trying to change that in whatever way I can. I’m still waiting for a sign to tell me what to do.”
While Maddie has gained her wings and left a legacy, Sim has big plans for the future.
“I’m hoping that someday I can be a doctor so I can help kids like me,” he said.
And kids like Maddie.

 

[LagunaH1]

A few years ago a friend of mine passed away from complications following surgery to remove 2 brain tumors. So, this is a cause that hits home for me.

 

[alrock]

Thanks for the update, donated a bit.

 

[Steve #1]

Thanks very much to both of you.

 

[Big2dabank]

Steve, I have two special needs boys, who both have an undiagnosed condition that is similar to Cerebral Palsy, and after years of genetic testing, doctors, treatments, etc, we still do not know the full extent of their disability nor do we have a diagnosis. My oldest son copes very well, but my youngest is almost 4 and is still unable to walk and is non-verbal, but has sounds that we can recognize and understand. I can certainly appreciate your story and the strength Sim has, there are so many kids out there in similar conditions and circumstances with illnesses and disabilities that severely impact their life. I can tell you that everyone of them I have met, included my own two boys, are a complete inspiration to both me and to others, their spirit and strength are absolutely amazing. Even with all the struggles, expense, and fears about what maybe in the future, I would not trade a thing about my boys, their ability to adapt, overcome and persevere over their disabilities is truly inspiring. Steve I wish Sim and your family the best of luck.

 

[Steve #1]

Thank you Big. My oldest son has Autism and is essentially non-verbal. I understand the frustration that comes with not being able to communicate with a child. Between Sim's situation, my oldest having Autism and my youngest son having Aspergers, I often get asked "How do you manage?" my only response is "They are your kids, how could you not? You just do."

I am happy to say that the NBTS reached their fundraising goal for yesterday's event and everything went off perfect. Here's the short speech Sim gave before the walk.

[video=youtube_share;jJiuyGdlYpo]http://youtu.be/jJiuyGdlYpo[/video]