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We are asking you to join us in our efforts to provide needed
intervention so that Brooke can master the living skills many
of us take for granted. Brooke is the much loved daughter
of Ed and Vicki Barels, and granddaughter of Lucille Baumeister.
Help us help Brooke overcome her daily challenges.
Nine years ago, Brooke was born on her due date on the morning
of August 3rd, 1997. Unaware of any complications, we brought
home our gift from God. As Brooke failed to meet her developmental
milestones, we began what would be a long journey down a path
we never expected. In an effort to have so many questions
answered, the whirlwind of testing began. Although MRI’s,
CT scans, EEG’s, skin biopsies, genetic testing, spinal
taps, and numerous blood draws all turned up “normal”,
Brooke was unable to voice “I Love You” or walk
across the room to open arms.
It wasn’t until Brooke was 6 years old that we received
a long awaited diagnosis. A Neurologist at Columbia University,
New York, had a label for us. Brooke was the 83rd
person in the world to be diagnosed with Glucose
Transporter Deficiency. (GLUT-1 DS).
We learned that the glucose in her blood is not being transported
to her spinal fluid to do its job of nourishing the brain
and providing fuel needed to function properly. The result
has been global developmental delays in areas of speech, cognition,
and physical ability. She is on a strict Ketogenic Diet in
which her meals are planned by Children’s Hospital and
all of her foods weighed on a gram scale. The large amount
of ketones she produces provide her brain an alternative fuel
source. This has proven to be of significant value, in that
she can now walk using a walker, stand alone for several minutes,
feed herself, use limited speech, among other improved daily
living skills. Although these things typically come naturally,
in our house they are cause for celebration.
In fact, this benefit is in part a celebration of what she
has accomplished and with your help, what she will continue
to accomplish in her future. Help make this exciting gathering
of food, free beer, cash bar, live music, raffles, and silent
auction a success for Brooke. Funds raised will allow us to
continue to provide alternative therapy options that have
been so beneficial thus far. In addition, Brooke will travel
to China for one month to experience their medical expertise.
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