Meet October's Legendairy Little, Phoenix

Each month we donate a portion of our proceeds to a child with medical needs through the Legendairy Littles program. During the month of October, we are featuring Phoenix. Legendairy Milk is making a financial contribution to Phoenix’s family.

Phoenix was born with Chiari Type 2 Malformation as well as a form of Spina Bifida called Myeloschisis. These conditions are severe forms of neuro tube defects where a part of the brain slips into the spinal canal and the spinal cord is exposed because it does not have skin to protect it. The parts of Phoenix’s spine that are affected are T12-S5. The Chiari Malformation causes hydrocephalus due to the lower brain being pulled down into the spinal cord. Because of both of these conditions, he does not have any sensation or function in his legs. 

At only nine months old, Phoenix has been through a lot. He experienced his first surgery at only four hours old. During this surgery, doctors fused his spine and closed the opening that was present at birth. Phoenix had his second surgery at five weeks old where he had a shunt put into his brain because his ventricles were filling up with fluid. A third surgery was required at five months old to get his brain shunt revised because it had malfunctioned. In addition to the attention required on his brain and spine, Phoenix also has a neurogenic bladder. This requires he be cathed every three hours. His urologist has recently discovered that the bladder isn’t shaped correctly and was causing urine to return to the right kidney. Doctors are still monitoring this condition closely before any further action. Recently, Phoenix has begun to experience episodes where he coughs and struggles to breathe for a minute before throwing up. This is a known side effect of Chiari Malformation. He is waiting for a full MRI to determine if his Chiari has gotten worse and requires surgery again. Phoenix also attends physical and occupational therapy twice each week. He is working to strengthen his core and arm muscles so that he can build muscles needed to sit. 

Even though Phoenix goes through so much medically, he is a strong happy boy. He recently learned to grab toys and loves to grab anything he can get his hands on. He loves to hold his crinkle books and look at himself in the mirror. He loves to watch the movie Cars and baby videos on YouTube. Phoenix loves his mom and his sister. 

If you would like to donate directly to Phoenix’s family, you can do so through their GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/5ae677a6d