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aka Brooks Money
Brooks was born on September 13, 2023, at just 24 weeks and 6 days,
due to a sudden and severe placental abruption.
He entered the world weighing 1 lb 7.5 oz and measuring 11 inches long.
We were told he had only a 5% chance of survival.
From the very beginning, Brooks has been a fighter.
His NICU Journey:
Brooks spent nearly 5.5 months in the NICU.
During that time, he faced:
Severe brain bleeds (bilateral grade 4)
Chronic lung disease (BPD)
A heart condition (PDA)
A serious staph infection (MSSA)
Osteomyelitis
Multiple intubations and respiratory struggles
We lived day by day, never knowing what the next scan or update would bring.
October 10, 2023 - First time stable enought to be held!
October 25, 2023 - In isolation due to MSSA infection.
Life After NICU:
Brooks came home on oxygen, a feeding tube, and a nebulizer.
Since then, his journey has included:
G-tube placement and feeding challenges
Eye surgery and vision support
Multiple therapies (physical, occupational, speech, feed)
A diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy – Spastic Diplegia
AFO braces, Botox treatments, glasses, Benik vest, and mobility support
Glasses - June 2024
G-tube placement - July 2024
Post Eye Surgery - September 2024
As of today, Brooks:
Cannot sit, crawl, stand, or walk independently
Cannot independently eat with utensils or drink from a cup
Requires full assistance for daily activities
But…He CAN:
Say words (“Mama”, “Bob”, “Peep”, and “Baa” are his favorites)
Rolls from back to belly and belly to back with motivation
Feed himself snacks
Move in his gait trainer
Light up every room he’s in – seriously, his laugh is contagious
Brooks may face challenges—but he also shows us every day what strength, perseverance, and joy truly look like.
Understanding Brooks' Diagnosis
Cerebral Palsy Spastic Diplegia is caused by brain damage - in Brooks' case, it was the bilateral brain bleeds he had at birth that lasted for 3 months.
CPSD primarily affects the legs, but also impacts truncal tone. It is characterized by muscles stiffness, tightness, and spasms, which makes sitting, crawling, walking, and balance difficult.
There is no cure, but therapy, medication (like Baclofen & Botox), and adaptive equipment helps him grow stronger and more independent.
Down the road, Brooks will most likely undergo a Rhizotomy. A procedure that involves damaging certain nerves through surgical cutting to treat chronic spasticity. To qualify, he has to be able to sit, unassisted, for at least 2 minutes. Right now, we're at about 30 seconds, so we're diligently working with him to achieve that milestone.
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