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Help Raise Funds for Struggling Family of Blind and Deaf Boy

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Imagine the unthinkable: a remarkably kind and loving family, fighting not just to survive, but to hold their entire world together—by only a few threads.

Calvin, blind and deaf, requires constant, complex care—while his parents, Dan and Deborah, try to keep their family intact. With two daughters to care for, every single day is a battle.

The toll on their hearts, their health, and their finances is crushing. They don’t just need help; they need hope.

This is the reality for the Brezgel family.

And this is where you come in.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: The starting amount on this GoFundMe page reflects funds raised during last year’s fundraiser, totaling $16,442. We’re using the same page this year to keep our amazing supporters updated, as advised by GoFundMe. This means the total displayed includes last year’s efforts as well. Our "zero" marker for this year’s fundraiser begins at $16,442, and every donation moving forward will add to this year’s goal. Thank you for your understanding and continued support!
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Their son, Calvin, was born with a rare genetic disorder, one so uncommon that only about 40 people in the world have it. Calvin is blind, deaf, unable to eat by mouth, and requires constant, complex medical care.

Every single day is a battle for his health and well-being—a battle that takes an immense emotional, physical, and financial toll on his devoted parents, Dan and Deborah.

But the Brezgel family doesn’t give up. They keep going, no matter how hard it gets. Every day, they pour their hearts into giving Calvin the best life they can.

Despite their relentless efforts, the financial strain on the family is overwhelming. From medical bills to constant repairs for Calvin’s life-saving equipment and transportation, it’s a never-ending struggle.

In 2023, thanks to the incredible generosity of donors, an outpouring of support from the community, and some press coverage that helped raise awareness of Calvin’s story, we raised over $16,000.

This life-changing amount helped them buy a used wheelchair-accessible van for Calvin, as wheelchair vans cost more than $50,000 new—an amount that the Brezgel family could never afford.

But even with this used van, the fight continues. The van is essential for Calvin’s transportation to medical appointments, but it is older, and like everything else in their lives, it needs constant repairs. The ramp sometimes malfunctions, and the tires are in desperate need of replacement.

The family worries every day about whether this van will break down like the others, knowing that without it, Calvin cannot go anywhere.

The weight of these financial burdens—paying for essential medical equipment, home repairs, van repairs, and the never-ending cycle of expenses—has been exhausting for them.

It’s not just the medical care; it’s the worry of not knowing whether they’ll have enough to make it through another year.

Year after year, they live in fear of losing their home, losing their stability, and losing the ability to give Calvin the care he so desperately needs.

But there’s hope. With your help, we can keep this fight going.

Calvin’s family needs ongoing support to cover the next chapter of their journey, including:

  • Driveway repairs to ensure safe, reliable transport for Calvin’s wheelchair van.
  • Replacement of worn-out tires and additional repairs for their wheelchair van, a vital lifeline that allows Calvin to get to his doctor appointments and go anywhere with family.
  • Replacements of malfunctioning medical equipment, like a specialty oxygen machine, which is essential for his health and survival.

The $16,000 raised last year was a tremendous help, but it’s just a small part of what they need to continue this journey.

This GoFundMe is not just a one-time campaign—it’s an ongoing effort.

We run multiple fundraisers each year to keep up with Calvin’s ever-growing needs.

The Brezgel family is overwhelmed by the constant strain of caring for Calvin, along with their two girls, and they humbly ask for your support.

The daily challenges they face are unimaginable, and the weight of it all is heavy.

Let's help them!

Here’s how you can help:

  • Make a one-time donation, or choose the automatic monthly donation option to give regular support, easing the burden on this family month after month.
  • Share this page with your friends and family. The more people who hear Calvin’s story, the more support we can gather.
  • Attend our upcoming fundraisers at physical locations and/or donate prizes, gifts, or services to help raise more funds.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, makes a tangible difference in Calvin’s life.

It’s not just about covering the costs of medical bills or replacing a broken piece of equipment—it’s about giving the Brezgel family peace of mind and lifting the weight of this ongoing fight off their shoulders, even just a little.

Calvin’s fight is far from over.

Every day, he faces challenges that most of us can’t even begin to comprehend. But with your help, his family can keep fighting. They can continue to provide him with the care, love, and support he deserves, while not constantly worrying about how to make ends meet.

Thank you for standing with Calvin and his family.

Your kindness is not just a donation—it’s a lifeline that makes every day easier and brighter for this extraordinary little boy and his incredible family.

PLEASE HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR SWEET CALVIN & FAMILY!

All proceeds go directly to Calvin’s Family, and right now, they will be for driveway repairs, wheelchair van repairs, and critical medical equipment.

A specific example of the challenges we're facing and why we need your support: (An example where I'm more aware of the specific details)

Recently, the State helped the family install a driveway behind their house to assist with transporting Calvin in his wheelchair van.

However, the driveway was built way too narrow and features a high edge, making it nearly impossible to safely use the wheelchair ramp.

Without driving off the edge, there's a risk of Calvin’s specialized wheelchair tipping over, or even worse, someone could get seriously injured.

As winter approaches, this situation becomes even more dangerous, with snow adding to the already hazardous conditions.

It has been a nightmare trying to get this issue addressed by the State, and as a result, they have been left to deal with it on their own.

With the back driveway now unusable for safe transport of Calvin in and out of the wheelchair van, they may need to rely on the front driveway, which is located on the opposite side of the house.

This driveway is not equipped with a ramp for Calvin, and in its current state, it would require multiple people to lift him and his wheelchair up and down stairs—both inside and outside the house—just to transport him.

The front driveway is also in disrepair, completely broken apart, and another danger zone they haven't been able to fix due to financial strain.

When snow falls, they are forced to manually shovel the driveway, as using a snowblower or hiring a plow would only worsen the damage.

The driveway is steep, making it even more difficult to navigate during winter months.

Uggh.

More information about Calvin and his family can be found on the Caring for Calvin website (caringforcalvin.com), which is created and maintained by a team of volunteers.
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Donations 

  • Paul Davis Restoration
    • $250
    • 7 d
  • Robert Joerg
    • $100
    • 7 d
  • Jennifer Edwards
    • $500
    • 2 mos
  • Roman Brezgel
    • $100
    • 2 mos
  • Lisa VandenBoom
    • $200
    • 2 mos
Donate

Fundraising team: Calvin's Fundraising Team (2)

Jennifer Edwards
Organizer
Oconomowoc, WI
Calvin and Family
Beneficiary
Paul Brezgel
Team member

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