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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.
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