He likes video games and absolutely loves the New Orleans Saints. All the normal things for a fantastic Lafayette boy who has had to deal with a terminal disease.
In today’s Spirit of Acadiana, Scott Brazda shares how this young man’s family isn’t asking for help but is giving it instead.
Seven-year-old Trevor Rickerson has a smile that just won’t quit, which in so many ways belies the physical battle that exists within him.
Trevor has a terminal disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2. It’s an infant form of the well known progressive and deteriorating disease, ALS.
Trevor was first diagnosed when he was just ten months old. It was confirmation to his mother Brittany that something was wrong with her son.
"He couldn’t sit up all the way, he’d fall over, never bear weight through his legs, never crawled," she says of Trevor’s condition.
Despite the diagnosis, Trevor and his mom continue to persevere. And his extended family, his soon to be step-dad Steven and Steven’s daughter Isabella, are helping to keep the family strong. Isabella is also battling Spinal Muscular Atrophy and the blended families are working to give back to the many people who have made their journey a bit easier.
Brittany’s fiance Steven is building a cabin on family property in Mississippi and that cabin is part of a raffle that will go to support the organizations that given so much to the family.
Brittany says that the cabin project is a way of giving back to other children and the foundations who continue to give back to children just like theirs. "They have helped us so much that we decided, let’s go create memories for other kids," says Brittany.
And Trevor’s thoughts on the whole cabin project?
"It is amazing and beautiful and it kind of helps children like me."
You can take part by purchasing a $50 ticket and by attending the cabin giveaway event at Route-92 at 2600 E Milton Ave in Youngsville on Saturday, March 7 from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Music will be provided by the all-medical personnel band known as "On Call."
Tickets can be purchased at curedatsma.org. Proceeds from the giveaway will go towards Trinity Outdoors, MDA Summer Camp, Cure SMA, and the Pay It Forward Foundation.
