Make Dean's Beach Trip and Care Possible

Dean was 9 years old when we noticed he started walking with a limp, kinda sideways. We took him to several Drs and a couple of hospitals and were told that it was growing pains. At night in the beginning he would cry out in pain. Finally, we had had enough and took him to Riley Hospital. Right away they called a neurosurgeon (we thought was the ER Doctor) she proceeded to tell us he needed a CATH done and an MRI. They could not do the normal cath so we had to sign a release for him to be put under and while he was under they were just going to do the MRI. The Surgeon came out just a few minutes later and told us that they took one picture and saw it was a tumor and it was cancer they told us then that he may never walk again, he would wear a colostomy bag, have a catheter for life, and be in a back brace. We did not care we just wanted our boy. When the Surgeon was finished and had all the family meet we were told it was Ewing Sarcoma, which is a rare form of cancer that approximately only 2% of people get in a year. That news was so devastating to a boy who loves the outdoors. Dean enjoyed fishing, swimming, kayaking, being king of the Lily Pad, bike riding, frisbee, and climbing trees. He beat all the odds. Came home after surgery and a year of chemo and radiation. He was back to playing, fishing, swimming, bike riding, and climbing trees. He went for his last check-up before they were going to release him from visits every 4 months and we got the news the cancer was back again. This time being the all-star champ he tried the clinical trial and it did not work. So back to square one and they did another surgery taking out a portion of his back they placed rods started chemo, and radiation again and Dean beat it again ringing that bell as he did all the times before. Came home and was the champ. In June of this year, he went back and this time the cancer is back with an aggression. The Dr told us that all we can do is hope for 2 things: a miracle and that this last chemo round would work. The chemo he is on right now is to only give us more time, Dean true to himself wanted to try it again so we are here to support him in any way possible 

Dean who is now 14 years old and lives in Russellville, Indiana has never been out of the state of Indiana and would love to take a trip to the beach and to SeaWorld for his first-ever vacation his family wants to have as many special moments with him as possible. Dean is cared for by his Dad Derek Ford who had to quit his job to care for Dean and Nana Deanna Emerson and Papaw Darren Sons but as Dean has more appointments and needs more care that may also cause Nana Deanna to miss work frequently so not only would your contribution send Dean and his family on his first vacation it will also help alleviate some of the financial burdens to work full time so they can spend as much quality time with Dean as possible. 

We understand not everyone can make a contribution towards Dean but everyone can pray for him so we ask that you please keep Dean and the family in your prayers during this time and we appreciate each one of you for your contribution and prayers.