Welcome to Team Tyler's Homepage!  For those who don't know him, Tyler is one of the most inspiring little guys you'll ever meet!  His lively spirit, unphased by all he has endure over the past nine years, makes me admire him more & more everyday!  Recently, I asked Tyler how he compares himself to other kids, to which he replied, "Well...not that much different...just sooo much faster" :-)

Along with his "super sonic speed", Tyler was born with severe Hemophilia B, a rare blood disorder which leads to poor blood clotting & continuous bleeding.  These internals "bleeds" primarily affect his muscles & joints, & are extremely painful; pain management has become one of our biggest challenges:-( Unfortunately Tyler also developed two major complications that makes his case very difficult.  At seven months, he started having anaphylactic reactions, extreme allergic reactions, to his much needed clotting medicine; soon afterward, he developed an "Inhibitor" which "eats up" his  medicine before his body has a chance to reap the benefits.

There are approximately 50 documented cases worldwide like Tyler.  These boys have so many more issues than your average Hemophiliac; already Ty has undergone nine surgeries & more hospitalizations than I care to remember!  However, Tyler takes the expression, "If life gives ya lemons, make lemonade" to a whole new level!  He makes the best of every situation, making me laugh before I ever get a chance to  cry.  We could be in the ER  with Tyler in excruciating pain, me worried sick, yet he never fails to amuse everyone with his playful demeanor. He still gives me a "yippee!" every time I say we are going to the hospital.  Once admitted, he focuses on making his "rounds" & visits so many different people, in all areas of PCH; He cruises down those halls in a wheel chair like he owns the place! Some of his favorite staff are the ER Administrators, who have had his picture hanging up on their wall since he was 4. He befriended them as he would ride his IV pole down their halls, shaking his booty in their doorways!  I've never seen a kid have so much fun in the hospital; he just makes the best of every situation life throws at him. Tyler will never let hemophilia define him and never will let it get in the way!

We are lucky that our community is so committed to fostering the mental, as well as the physical, well-being of our boys. Currently, Tyler & I go to conferences all over the country where he gets to meet other kids just like myself; kids who have made it their mission to terrorize the volunteers who baby sit at these functions!!  (They are quite organized!)  Tyler & his gang of friends are forming bonds that they will, undoubtedly, have for life!  Thank goodness we have organizations committed to bringing these young Hemophiliacs together.

On Sunday, September 28, 2008, we walked in the very first National Hemophilia Walk!  This was our chance to raise money for the advocacy, education, & research of all blood disorders.  We know that one day there will be a cure for Hemophilia, thus, ending the harsh impact of this debilitating disease for little boys like Tyler.  Without funding for this research, Tyler is destine to a lifetime of life-threatening bleeds & severe chronic pain.

 
We had a terrific turn out on Sunday and lots of fun! Thank you to our local chapter, Hemophilia Association! What would we do without you ladies?!  Plus an event just isn't an event without Ileana cheering us all on & being her lovely, crazy self!!  It was so nice for Tyler to see how many people there were wanting to show their support & help raised money!  (At home this weekend, he and I were enjoying reading all the lovely emails from friends & family!  THANK YOU ALL!- we are responding to them all today!!!)  I know it really meant a lot to him:-) Originally, Tyler & I did not invite friends out to "the Walk" because we were not going to be able to make it ourselves.  Three days before the event, we realized we were able to go, so we called my family and sent a few emails out. It was crazy & not planned well AT ALL, on my part!!! Next year we will be sure to free up the weekend, and give everyone a heads up WAY IN ADVANCE!!!  A BIG Thank you to everyone who contributed so far to help us reach our very ambitious goal! You can STILL DONATE to our team. Offline donations are accepted as well!  100% of the money goes to the Hemophilia Foundation who do so much for us.  Remember, every bit helps...$5, $10, $20. We'll be accepting donations at least through the next month! Friends of friends are always welcomed:-)

Thank you all for showing your support!  And a special thanks to my family, who always makes it out to support Tyler:-) And a huge THANK YOU to my sister, who helped me throw together our team shirts at the last minute! (She is ALWAYS saving my tail!)  And our neighbors, Souan, Antonio, & Maya who are so great, and a big help too!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!