Support Baby Ezra's Medical Journey

In August 2023, Daven Rucker and Kalynn Rucker found out they were expecting a baby. Within the month, they were told to prepare for a miscarriage because the pregnancy seemed abnormal, and Kalynn had already experienced several miscarriages in the past, along with other trauma during pregnancies that made the chances of a successful pregnancy slim.

The family refused to give up and had the pregnancy monitored closely to ensure a positive outcome. During this time, the father, Daven Rucker, suffered a work injury where his heel was completely shattered. He needed surgery and was unable to work or walk for several months. In December 2023, they traveled to a new location to see another OB who found out through ultrasound that their baby was not forming correctly in the womb. The day they found out they were having a son was the same day they were told that he might not survive, and if he did, he would have extreme medical complications. His lower jaw was recessed, and he would never be able to nurse. He had issues with his heart as well, and he would need close monitoring. They were referred to a genetics specialist over 2 hours from their home. By Christmas 2023, Kalynn was on strict bed rest, and Daven was recovering from his own orthopedic surgery.

In February 2024, Kalynn was pulled away from the family/home and placed in a special maternity hotel 2 hours away until their son was delivered.

On May 1, 2024, they were blessed with a beautiful baby boy they named Ezra.

Ezra was indeed born with many health problems. He was transferred to the nearest pediatric hospital where he spent 3 months in the NICU and an additional 2 months in the ITU. After several tests and lots of lost sleep, the genetics team discovered that Ezra has a 1 in a million genetic mutation called Anderson-Tawil syndrome. It has caused facial deformities and a cleft palate, resulting in the need for a tracheostomy tube and G-tube placement in order to survive.

Ezra was finally able to come home on September 30, 2024, but he still has to travel to medical appointments and specialists and has a long journey ahead of him.

Ezra has 5 other siblings, and the family truly is having a hard time adjusting. They stay strong in their faith and do everything they can to keep their head above water, but after the year they've had, things are beginning to pile up.

Any help you could offer this family would drastically improve their situation.

They are also asking everyone this reaches to please have their friends, family, and churches pray for them...

Funds will be used for:

Gas for medical appointments

Bills &Groceries

Extra medical supplies not covered by insurance