March 16th is a very important day in our lives.

On March 16, 2006, Brady Blaine Hinton was born at St. Vincent's hospital in Bridgeport, CT.

On March 16, 2008, on his 2nd birthday, Brady went to sleep in his home and woke up in Heaven, God's newest saint.
In between those dates, Brady endured a life complicated by complicated conditions.
He was born with major issues in every major system of his body.
His brain.  His eyes.  His ability to eat.  His heart.  His stomach.  His kidneys.
He endured 7 major surgeries (including open heart surgery and a kidney transplant)
and over 10 procedures in his short life, spending near 6 months of his life in an ICU.
He never went longer than 3 weeks without being poked, prodded and explored in an effort to help him live in peace.

But here's where it gets interesting.
His smile.
His incredible, unstoppable, unbelievable smile.
It went from ear to ear.
It often beamed the largest when listening to music and experiencing the brightest of lights.
It came through at the most difficult of times.
It put things in perspective for people.
It showed people that despite it all, you can maintain a positive attitude.
It showed people that regardless of what you are up against, there is still reason to celebrate.
It showed people that no matter what, happiness is a choice.
It influenced people like nothing we've ever seen.

And while we know Brady is smiling down on us from Heaven, we also know we need to carry on his spirit here on Earth.
If we can influence even 10% of the people Brady influenced, we know we done a great job.

We are Annie and Matt.
We are Brady's momma and daddy.
Two middle class everyday people who loved their son and each other.
Two people, like you, who love a good meal, love a good beer and love the the idea of giving back.
And now we honor Brady's spirit through this organization.
Now we have a chance to make a difference in the lives of those who need the most help.

We are people who have never started a charity.
We are people who learn as they go.
But we are passionate.
We are so passionate it hurts.
We want to aim big.
People keep telling us to start small but it doesn't resonate.
We have big goals because anything else would be an insult to our beautiful son.

So we started a charitable organization so that we could give back based on our experiences with Brady and life in the ICU.
We are not some large amorphous organization that gives to many but knows no one.
We are a "mom and pop" with a personal cause.  We are a start-up company dedicated to the greater good.
We are charitable entrepreneurs and we love it.

Join us as we set out to change the way people give to children in need.
Join us as we try and make the difference in the lives of those who need the most help.
Join us as we try and fulfill our ultimate goal: to become the largest children's based charitable foundation in the world.

It may sound really big.
But that's ok - we love a good challenge.
Every time that a doctor said Brady couldn't do something, he did it.
Every time a doctor said Brady was going to struggle with something, he succeeded.
Brady greeted every dim and dark moment with one simple inspiring symbol.  A smile.

Help us do big things for little ones in need.

Thanks,
Annie and Matt Hinton, Co-Founders, Brady's Smile, Inc.