Images Captured by The Light Within Photography
www.thelightwithinphoto.com
Tiny Light Brandon taught the world so much, his light was anything but tiny. Sadly, this brave boy lost his lifelong medical battle last week, at just 13 years old.
Brandon was born two weeks early in distress and rushed immediately to the ICU. Doctors weren’t sure if he would make it through the night. From there, after countless appointments and tests with pediatric genetics, mom Alitia was told the specialists didn’t know what was causing her son’s failure to thrive and development issues. At age six, Brandon started receiving treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) – the condition of having an abnormally low platelet count. This led to many hospital visits, several bone marrow biopsies and eventually chemotherapy. The chemotherapy seemed to work well for Brandon, but no one was certain of his long-term prognosis.
Though Brandon was non-verbal, he could clearly communicate with gestures and expressions. He was always happy and would go out of his way to make sure those around him were too. When his mom or Grandma Marie cried, he kissed away their tears and offered tissues.
It was all about slowing down and enjoying the little moments with this beautiful boy. One of his favourite activities was sitting on the beach for hours just to see the tide come in. Then he’d give the ocean a ‘thumbs-up’ for a job well done. Brandon loved laughing and telling jokes. He found humour and joy in everything – even running through the hospital to see the nurses. This Tiny Light faced all of life’s obstacles with strength, fortitude and acceptance.
“Just take the time to enjoy every moment for what it is. They are all special and precious. Brandon taught us to live in the present. We learned to quit thinking about the future and what it may hold and just focus on the here and now.”
Brandon was born two weeks early in distress and rushed immediately to the ICU. Doctors weren’t sure if he would make it through the night. From there, after countless appointments and tests with pediatric genetics, mom Alitia was told the specialists didn’t know what was causing her son’s failure to thrive and development issues. At age six, Brandon started receiving treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) – the condition of having an abnormally low platelet count. This led to many hospital visits, several bone marrow biopsies and eventually chemotherapy. The chemotherapy seemed to work well for Brandon, but no one was certain of his long-term prognosis.
Though Brandon was non-verbal, he could clearly communicate with gestures and expressions. He was always happy and would go out of his way to make sure those around him were too. When his mom or Grandma Marie cried, he kissed away their tears and offered tissues.
It was all about slowing down and enjoying the little moments with this beautiful boy. One of his favourite activities was sitting on the beach for hours just to see the tide come in. Then he’d give the ocean a ‘thumbs-up’ for a job well done. Brandon loved laughing and telling jokes. He found humour and joy in everything – even running through the hospital to see the nurses. This Tiny Light faced all of life’s obstacles with strength, fortitude and acceptance.
“Just take the time to enjoy every moment for what it is. They are all special and precious. Brandon taught us to live in the present. We learned to quit thinking about the future and what it may hold and just focus on the here and now.”
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