Our Angel Dylan

Our Sweet, Loving Dylan was taken from us on Saturday October 20th with all of his loved ones by his side!   Much, much, much too soon!  Our hearts are broken and we can't believe he is really gone, but we are finding peace in knowing that he is no longer in pain and no longer living in a body that doesn't work! He was an amazing young man who went through too much in his short 13 years here on earth. I hope he is running in heaven and doing all the things he never got to do here! Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers, but please continue them to give us all strength to get through this horribly awful time learning to live without him! 

 

 We lost a special young man, but Heaven has gained a Beautiful Angel!

 When you lose someone that you love you gain an angel that you know.

Dylan you will always be our HERO!!

Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again!

Forever in our Hearts!

 

Dylan Steven Smith

April 24, 1999-October 20, 2012

T-Shirts

Here are the Tshirts the students at North Middle School created and are selling.  They are $10 and $5 of it goes to Dylan.  These shirts will be available for purchase at the Benefit.

Get yer' Red Hot Tickets

Ticket numbers are limited, so if you plan to attend the benefit it is beneficial to purchase them in advance. 

Please note we have hired Suzy Sparkles to do Face Painting and Peter John Lindsay from Half Twisted-Half Knot is donating his time to do balloon twisting/comedy.  We have amazing auction items and will be doing some fun raffles.

Dylan's Story

          Dylan was born a healthy 7lb 5oz baby boy.  The dream of having a healthy baby had come true for his parents, but just 5 short years later that dream was shattered.  Dylan went in for his routine 5 year old check up when the doctor became worried that something was wrong.  The Pediatrician was worried that Dylan had enlarged calves.   Luckily the Pediatrician noticed this and referred him for further testing.  They proceeded to take Dylan to Children’s Hospital to have some testing done.  Right away the doctor at Children’s hospital explained all the signs and symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy.  Some of the signs that they explained he was already exhibiting and  Dylan’s mom knew in her heart he had it.  Dylan had to pull himself up stairs, wasn’t able to run like his friends, and had a difficult time getting up from sitting on the floor.  They did some tests and a DNA test right away.  After waiting and worrying for a long 3 to 4 weeks their worst fear became a reality.  Dylan was diagnosed with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy at the young age of 5.  Around age 7, walking became more difficult for Dylan.  He was walking on his tip toes and started sticking out his chest when walking to attempt to keep his balance.  Dylan’s mom Jenny said that she will never forget the day she saw him walk out of his room on his toes, she had seen this exact thing in a video and it broke her heart to see the disease progressing so rapidly.   He also began falling down a lot which led to Dylan requiring a walker.   By age 8, Dylan needed his first  wheelchair.  About age 10 he lost the muscle strength in his arms, to the point that he no longer could bring a cup to his mouth to take a drink and now has to drink out a straw.  Just this past summer at the age of 12 Dylan had to have major back surgery to straighten out his spine to decrease pressure on his internal organs.  Life has changed dramatically for Dylan since the surgery.  At this point in time Dylan can only move his head and hands on his own.  Many challenges have come their way and Dylan and his family have taken every challenge head on.  Their family motto “We’ll Figure it out.”  Dylan is an easy going, positive spirit, with a great big heart!  Please read the following post about what you can help Dylan get the most out of life!

Keep Scrolling Down through the pictures to find out How You Can Help Dylan!

Life after The Diagnosis

Keep Scrolling

Help is on the Way

Almost there

You made it!  Time to find out how you can help!

Can You Help Us Help Dylan?

Dylan Smith is a 7^th grader at North Middle School who has Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy, a muscle wasting disease. In August, Dylan underwent back surgery at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to place a rod on each side of his spine. The surgery was necessary to relieve pressure on his internal organs. At this time Dylan only has use of his hands, wiggle his toes and slightly turn his head. He needs assistance with every day activities. He is mobile through the use of a motorized wheelchair, but the chair does not allow him the mobility of a regular teen. Dylan would like to be able to participate in outdoor activities with his family and friends. Donations are needed to accomplish this.

A benefit is scheduled for February 26, 2012, from 1 – 4 PM at the Quilted Bear in Germantown, featuring a silent auction and raffles. The tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door for adults and $7/$10 for students. Tickets are available after January 25^th at the Quilted Bear or by emailing your number of reservations to esmith1680@wi.rr.com.

 

 

We would love to see you at the Benefit. If you cannot attend, please consider a donation. You can send checks to any M & I Bank to “The Smith Family Benefit Fund.” or by clicking on the “DONATE” icon at the bottom of this page. You are then requested to set up a PayPal account for yourself to make your donation. Before you do that enjoy a look into the life of Dylan on the slideshow.

We are in need of auction and raffle items or services. These items can be dropped off at Menomonee Falls High School, or we can arrange to have them picked up. Please contact Melissa Hills or Sharon Vasholz, Student Council Advisors, at the high school by calling (262) 255-8444.

The Smith Family is very involved in the Menomonee Falls community. Kurt and Jenny, Dylan’s parents, work at Acro Metal Stamping and JCPenney’s respectively. Kurt also volunteers with the Menomonee Falls Fire Department. Siblings, Emily and Mckenna attend Riverside and Ben Franklin Schools. Grandparents, Ed & Shirley Smith and Jim & Linda Wobig have been long time residents of Menomonee Falls. 

How can you help?? With your donation, the Smith Family is hoping to purchase The Viking 4 X 4 Power Wheelchair”, which would provide Dylan with more accessibility, mobility and independence.” The wheelchair accessible van used to transport Dylan is in need of repairs and home remodeling is needed to accommodate for the daily basic care Dylan requires.

Even if you cannot make it to the benefit, 

 Please DONATE!  Dylan needs YOU!

We are all grateful for anything you can do to help and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support!!

Enjoy the slideshow below, bottom left corner!  Click on the picture to enlarge the slideshow for better viewing :)

We Love You Dylan

These are Dylan's sisters and cousins and the sign they made for him while he was in the hospital recovering from his back surgery.