If you have had the pleasure to meet Chad, you are sure to know him for his smile and his love for life. Although, Chad was born with a broken heart that required open heart surgery he brought the gift joy that warm the hearts of all who know him. Fourth-five days ago Chad’s zest for life was hindered after being diagnosed with severe pneumonia, vomiting blood, and a mass of infection in his lining of his lung called a pleural empyema. He was intubated immediately and was put in a drug-induced coma. He is now fighting for his life with all his might. His condition has worsen his is now diagnosed with gastroparesis, which is a paralysis of the lower stomach, which makes him nausea. They had to put a feeding tube in order the give him nutrients and meds. The pneumonia is still in his lungs. They have intubated him 4 times now and are doing a tracheostomy soon. They have done so many tests, screenings, x-rays, and taken blood. Chad is weak and has lost a lot of weight but he is a fighter and when he is not out of it, he shines those beautiful eyes and signs I Love YOU and he gives us the thumbs up. His mother has stood strong for Chad and has masked a roller coaster of emotions as she stood by his side day in and day out. In recent days Tina’s hope and faith has been restored when she learned Chad could be transferred to Shands hospital where his will receive the best care possible. As you can imagine this journey has left his mother emotionally and financially distressed but with the emotional support and financial support of friends and family Chad has great promise for recovery and restoration of health and spirit. Many of the medical equipment such as a medical bed, a lift, and the feeding pump are not covered. The therapy is necessary for Chad to recover along with extra caregivers to assist and none of that is covered. There are treatments that will help Chad recover, such as deep injection of Botox, that are not covered. These injections relax the tightening of the muscles with people who has Cerebral Palsy like Chad. All the support he needs can be made possible if we all rally around Chad and his mother Tina. God Bless you for whatever you find it in your heart to share with the family. Tina has been moved by all the offers for help so we have set up an account at TD Bank, in the name of Chad Russell Benefit Fund, if you would like to contribute to his recovery. Chad’s insurance is covering most of the hospital stay up to a certain amount of days, which Chad will surpass soon. The assistance is needed for expenses for transportation to Shands, his mother expenses to be by his side, therapy, additional hospital stay, and the equipment to transition him home. Thank you for your concern, care and contribution.