This week we welcome Don Culp, father and Warrant Officer in the United States Army.  On January 16th, 2009, Don welcomed the newest edition of the Culp family, Braelyn Aubrey.  When she was born, Braelyn never would make eye contact with her mother or Don.  Within the first six months, she was flown by helicopter to a children's hospital.  She had absence and myoclonic seizures and became very lethargic.  This is when Don's family started uncovering some of the causes behind the lack of eye contact.  After several doctor's appointments and a few hospitalizations, it was discovered that Braelyn had a chromosomal deletion.  All of this unfolded while Don was immersed in Flight School, and continued as he prepared for a deployment.  As she got older, the frequency and severity of her seizures increased.  Braelyn was delayed with regard to both speech and motor skills.  Despite her ongoing issues, she displayed a fighting spirit and a joyful personality.  She achieved major milestones, such as learning sign language, feeding herself, talking, and walking.  Braelyn was a loving child and, to Don and his family, she was their Superhero!  She embodied joy, determination, and a no-quit attitude.  Sadly, on October 2, 2012, Braelyn was called home to be with the Lord just three months shy of her 4th birthday.  Don and I discuss the difficulties of balancing family and military life, and how the support of community and his unit helped him through this horrible situation.  We discuss the Braelyn Aubrey Foundation, their early success and accomplishments, and how Don envisions future growth and advocacy.  Most of all, we honor the fighting spirit of his daughter and how we can all strive to harness that same fire in our own lives.

For more information about the Braelyn Aubrey Foundation and to donate please go to https://thebraelynaubreyfoundation.org.