Courageous Parents Network

Charlotte is a student at Merrimack college, an avid athlete, and an aspiring teacher. Jake and Charlotte are cousins, and are only six months apart in age. Charlotte and Jake have grown up together and from a very young age, Charlotte and Jake have shared a close and loving bond. Inspired largely by her experience with Jake, Charlotte is interesting in working as a teacher and has focused her time and talents on working with children with special needs.

Amanda and Joel are part of a close knit family that grew only closer after their second daughter Sadie was diagnosed with the rare disease CDKL5. Pushing past the fears and learning to live for today, the Laflammes recently welcomed another baby girl, Savahnna, who is healthy and happy.

Cheerful, laughing Abby was 11 years old when doctors discovered a large cancerous tumor in her shoulder. After a tough battle, Abby died at home with hospice support at age 14. Her loving parents, Amy and Scott, and her younger sister, will forever hold her in their hearts.

Aislin and EmilyRose have a very special bond. Aislin was diagnosed with cancer as a young child and has lived with the complicated effects of treatment for her entire 17 years. Her best friend, EmilyRose, helps her through the hard times while focusing on their future together. Sadly, Aislin died from complications from her treatment just a few months after this recording.

Kerri Padgett began working with families of seriously ill children, in pediatric palliative care, after her own two year old son, Kai, died of an inoperable brain tumor. Three years later, her 31 year old brother, Pat, also died of an unrelated cancer.