Help Immortalize Little Leo the Adventurer
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Welcome to our fundraiser to help us immortalize our son, Little Leo the Adventurer, in a fantastic series of nature-focused children's books.
At seven and a half years old, Leo recently passed away at his home in Fort Collins, Colorado, from an ultra-rare genetic disorder, a type of dwarfism called Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata (RCDP). The diagnosis, found at birth, included a long list of symptoms and a heart-shattering grim prognosis. Doctors promised a short 2-5 year life, full of surgeries, illness, pain, discomfort and general hardship.
This fate was never accepted by his parents, who committed to giving Leo the healthiest and happiest life possible through a myriad of holistic measures and living for today.
He never spoke in words, rather with his effervescent smile, sparkling eyes, contagious laughter and seldom tears. Leo radiated pure joy and pure love with everyone he met.
His favorite place was outside. Anywhere the warmth of the sun could be felt, paired by sounds of the breeze between the pines. Nature was his happy place and moving to Colorado in 2019 provided the best years of his short life.
Leo never took steps of his own, but hiked close to 1,000 miles carried in the arms of mom and dad, always turning heads and charming fellow hikers. It isn't every day you see a grinning 16 lb little boy, beaming in joyful awe of nature, on trails at 7-12k feet elevations. Those who frequent the easy-to-moderate trails around Boulder and Fort Collins have likely crossed paths with Leo and his family.
The summer of 2020, Leo’s adventures were upgraded thanks to his parents building out a campervan in their Boulder, CO apartment driveway—providing countless days ending with "Best. Day. Ever." His last two years were full of dispersed camping and weekly day-trips all over Colorado, always including hikes followed by majestic mountainside picnics.
This fate was never accepted by his parents, who committed to giving Leo the healthiest and happiest life possible through a myriad of holistic measures and living for today.
He never spoke in words, rather with his effervescent smile, sparkling eyes, contagious laughter and seldom tears. Leo radiated pure joy and pure love with everyone he met.
His favorite place was outside. Anywhere the warmth of the sun could be felt, paired by sounds of the breeze between the pines. Nature was his happy place and moving to Colorado in 2019 provided the best years of his short life.
Leo never took steps of his own, but hiked close to 1,000 miles carried in the arms of mom and dad, always turning heads and charming fellow hikers. It isn't every day you see a grinning 16 lb little boy, beaming in joyful awe of nature, on trails at 7-12k feet elevations. Those who frequent the easy-to-moderate trails around Boulder and Fort Collins have likely crossed paths with Leo and his family.
The summer of 2020, Leo’s adventures were upgraded thanks to his parents building out a campervan in their Boulder, CO apartment driveway—providing countless days ending with "Best. Day. Ever." His last two years were full of dispersed camping and weekly day-trips all over Colorado, always including hikes followed by majestic mountainside picnics.
He was fiercely loved and now missed terribly by many whose lives he touched, knowing him personally and virtually around the world. Through his captured memories, he continues to inspire and encourage others to get out and explore.
Leo was a teacher. He will continue to teach and inspire children about the magic of playing outdoors in his nature, geography and adventure-focused children's books.
All donated funds will be used to secure illustration and publishing for Leo's children's book series, to be written by his mom and dad.
Thank you so much for your support,
Thank you so much for your support,
Ryan and Lewann Babler (Dad & Mom)
To check out Leo's adventures, find us on Instagram: @trekking.with.tiny
Organizer
Ryan Babler
Organizer
Fort Collins, CO