Isaac's Story

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Isaac is 17 years old and a twin. He was born full-term and healthy, although he faced some difficulty in regulating his blood sugar levels shortly after birth. He and his twin brother were both discharged from the hospital after two days. However, due to being released prematurely, Isaac suffered a lack of oxygen to his brain, which led to significant damage in the occipital lobe and both sides of his brain. As a result, he now lives with cortical visual impairment (CVI) caused by the damage to his occipital lobe, as well as epilepsy. Isaac is unable to walk, relying instead on scooting on his bottom to get around. He is nonverbal and uses a feeding tube.

Isaac also has twin sisters, Allison and Autumn, who are now 12 years old. Since the age of three, he has attended the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, located three hours from home, which has made him a residential student. His mother has been his primary means of transportation to and from the school for the past 14 years.

When Isaac was 10, he tragically lost his father to suicide. The overwhelming grief and depression that followed proved too much for his father to bear, leading to his untimely passing.

Despite these challenges, the family has been able to move into a home that is specially designed to help Isaac navigate his environment with greater ease. His room is located on the first floor to provide more accessibility. Up until two years ago, Isaac’s mother was able to lift and move him as needed, but after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, along with Isaac now weighing over 140 pounds, she can no longer do so. 

To accommodate their needs, they had a special seat installed in their car, as lifting Isaac into the vehicle had become increasingly difficult. However, despite numerous efforts to keep him safely in bed, he continues to slide out, leading to injuries. Now, with your help, plus in partnership with Benjamin's Benefit Foundation and Mason's Movement Foundation, we've provided Isaac with a Sleep Safe Bed with an electric up and down feature to make it easier for Isaac's mom to keep him comfortable in bed.

Continue to help others like Isaac and donate today or read our next story.