HEALTH & WELLNESS
His stroke didn’t affect the thought center,
but rather the muscles and how he gets the
words out.”
Brendon and sister, Adelyn, model the 2015
World Pediatric Stroke Awareness T-shirts.
That’s where Brendon’s Smile…Raising
Awareness for Childhood Stroke came
in. She and Stephen formed the nonprofit
organization to help all newborns and
children who have suffered a stroke.
So far, Brendon’s long-term effects are
weakness on his right side, and issues
with speech.
Brendon is participating in a research study
to prove “on paper” that therapy does work.
Beginning the year of his diagnosis, Jessica
arranged a walk on his birthday to increase
awareness, and let people know it’s not
that uncommon.
“It’s stated as one in 4,000 births. In adults
over 65, statistics are one in 3,000, so that
puts it into perspective,” she said.
Jessica also found that not only was there a
lack of awareness, there was little research
funding available.
What was her next step? Capitol Hill.
Three times, she’s spoken at congressional
briefings in collaboration with the American
Heart Association and American Stroke
Association to increase awareness and
funding for stroke in children.
In 2010, Jessica had her second child,
daughter, Adelyn.
Jessica serves on the board of the
International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke.
Brendon’s Smile funds an annual educational
seminar for medical professionals at )ѡ