HOLYOKE, Colo, -- Dan and Alisha Brown are a young family with two boys. Their youngest son was presented with challenges from early in his life. 

"Our youngest son Nathaniel is eight years old. And, he has a genetic gene mutation, which is a rare form of epilepsy. On day 5, he started exhibiting seizure activities. We lived in southwest Kansas. And, small town rural hospital didn't know what it was. And my wife wanted a second opinion (to see a pediatrician), traveled to a bigger hospital in southwest Kansas, in Garden City. She said he was having seizures. We needed to get to the big city, to Children's Hospital. We chose Denver. He had seizures, grand mall seizures, for the first six months of his life," Brown said.

He gave up farming, went to work as a facility maintenance technician and moved into town to have more time with his family. They then moved to Denver to be closer to Children's Hospital. A fundraiser was held at that time to help them purchase a small mobility vehicle to assist in transporting their son. Alisha Brown said the diagnosis is often associated with epilepsy

"This is most commonly associated with early onset epilepsy, and has recently been linked to autism, and developmental delays. And he is more of a severe case. Every individual that has been genetically diagnosed scn2a all present differently. With Nathaniel, he is non-ambulatory, which means he cannot walk, he cannot crawl, he can't roll, he is non-mobile," she said.

Nathaniel's challenges results in the family making specific considerations for what many might call basic needs, such as trips to the store or a doctor's visit. She said since he is non-verbal, he expresses himself as an infant, in ways a mother can recognize.

Their handicap accessible van has taken the family to Denver frequently. It has reached the point of needing repairs more costly than purchasing a new vehicle. A van was located in Denver for about $62,000, including a silent motorized chair lift. By fundraising and various sources, the family is about halfway to their goal. 

Another fundraising campaign has started: “Nineteen for Nathaniel!” The idea is if at least half the people in our area would donate only $19 per person, it would provide the additional funds needed to purchase the van before the February deadline.

Paula Strode, one of the event coordinators for fundraisers supporting the family, said she is excited to be involved in the effort.

“It is a joy to have such an opportunity as this to be a vessel for the work God is doing. Donating $19 is doable for most everyone and it doesn’t seem like much, but God can turn it into a lot, and that is how the Brown family will get this van. All we have to do is answer the call to love one another and help our neighbors,” said  Strode.

Various businesses in our area will have collection jars or boxes where people may leave their $19 donations or donations of any amount. Additionally, donations can be deposited at BMO in Holyoke to the Because Foundation for the Brown family, or write a check with the memo stating “Brown family” and mail it to Because, 216 S. Interocean Ave, Holyoke, CO 80734. 

For more information, call Daniel Brown at 970.466.3980, or Penny Bailey at 575.791.8391