MEET SIMON
Simon is a force of nature, and when you meet him you quickly learn that he won’t let himself be defined by his medical complexities. He has a sunny smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eye, and he has a unique way of making friends with everyone he meets. He loves to make other laugh and entertain his family, friends, and teachers.
When Simon was about four weeks old, he was admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital because he wasn’t eating, was losing weight, and slept as much as 20 hours a day. His first year was spent navigating feeding difficulties, several hospitalizations, and the placement of a feeding tube. As he got older, his medical conditions got more complex. He was diagnosed with autism, brain abnormalities, neutropenia, genetic abnormalities, epilepsy, skill regression, eosinophilic esophagitis, ADHD, keratoderma palmaris et plantaris, and is predominantly non-verbal.
Simon is now eight and recently became a part of a dynamic duo when he received his service dog, Hardie. He receives several different therapies and has a 1:1 aide - and he is thriving! He’s reading, writing, and talking – both on his own and with his Talker. He loves to golf, swim, and find any way to keep his body in motion.
Age: 8 years old
Diagnosis: Autism, Epilepsy, Gtube, Eosinophilic esophagitis, ADHD, Keratoderma palmaris et plantaris
Mile Sponsor: