Merritt is 2 years old?and pure joy. He loves to snuggle, be outside, and soak up every moment with his siblings, who are his absolute favorite people. He?s incredibly vocal, social, and lights up in the presence of others. If you meet him, you don?t forget him.

But Merritt?s journey hasn?t been simple.

He was born with microcephaly, meaning his head is smaller than expected due to differences in brain development, along with a simplified gyral pattern, which refers to fewer folds in the brain and can impact how the brain processes and communicates.

He has since been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which affects his movement, muscle tone, and coordination. He also has epilepsy, including infantile spasms and tonic seizures, meaning he experiences recurrent seizures that require close monitoring and care. Merritt has CVI (cortical visual impairment), where his brain has difficulty processing what his eyes see, and dysphagia, which makes swallowing challenging and can impact his ability to eat safely.

Despite all of this, Merritt continues to show up with joy, connection, and a deep love for the world around him.

His parents, Vanessa and Jeremy, are doing everything they can to support him and give him every opportunity to grow, connect, and thrive.

The hardest part? Many of the treatments and therapies that could make a meaningful difference for Merritt are not covered by insurance.

They are pursuing a combination of therapies and treatments, including:

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (New Orleans): $14,500 for two months of treatment

• Personal hyperbaric chamber for home use: $14,500

• Stem cell therapy: approximately $8,500 (not including travel)

• NAPA intensive therapy: $12,000, with follow-up visits every 2?3 months 

• Ongoing care and follow-ups 

All of this comes before additional travel and lodging costs.

This is the reality for families navigating complex medical needs?relentless advocacy, constant decision-making, and a deep belief in what?s possible for their child.

Every step forward matters. And every bit of support makes a difference.