BRANDON DOUGLAS SMITH

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BRANDON DOUGLAS SMITH Peacefully, at home in his mother's arms, our little fighter Brandon Douglas Smith passed away Sunday November 1, 2009 after a long and courageous battle with Infantile Batten Disease. Brandon was born on March 16, 2001 in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Women's Pavilion. He is survived by his parents, Cindy and Doug and his big sister (and most favourite person in the whole world) Hayley. Brandon and Hayley shared a unique and beautiful bond that as siblings, only they understood. He loved his big sis and Hayley adored him so preciously in return. Brandon is also survived by many relatives and countless friends. Brandon started preschool at The Learning Centre in 2003 where he enjoyed the pleasure of other children his age and some thoughtful aids that worked closely with him. From 2004-2006 he participated in a group therapy at the Movement Centre of Manitoba where Brandon made some lasting friendships. His most recent therapy took place in Florida where he participated in suit therapy, hippotherapy and some cutting edge speech therapy. It was here that Brandon made some significant gains and kept us hopeful. Brandon was a fighter, with incredible determination and purpose. He gave new meaning to the word perseverance and refused to be limited by a medical diagnosis. Instead Brandon took on this disease that robbed him of his hard earned skills at the tender age of two. Time and time again Brandon achieved what others said was impossible. Although Brandon has left us far too soon, we have been blessed with some incredible memories, the most special one being a trip to Clearwater Beach in August, 2007. Brandon loved the warmth (despised the cold!) and together we spent the day floating for hours on the lazy river ride. The sun was hot and the water was warm. We know Brandon's body never felt as free on this earth as it did at that moment. Our family treasured our time together and we loved watching Brandon with his trains. Hayley loved to play with Brandon and spent countless moments racing cars with her brother down the hallway to see who was the fastest! Lightning McQueen was absolutely his favourite and Brandon got a chance to meet him in Disney World on a family trip in January of 2008. Two years ago Santa gave Brandon a Wii for Christmas; Brandon loved to play Wii. With some help from his dad, Brandon would take on anybody and held most of the family records in the sports games! Wii nights will never be the same without our little buddy. We will miss Bugs Bunny cartoons playing in the background during his supper time. So much we will miss... Brandon's true legacy will be the lives that he has touched and in the friendships that have been cultivated all because of this little boy who touched the hearts of so many. Our family will be forever grateful to so many people; some friends, but many complete strangers that over the last seven years, helped us raise funds allowing us to seek only the best therapies for Brandon; here at home and abroad. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to the wonderful doctors and nurses that worked with Brandon over the years. Brandon and Hayley's pediatrician, Dr. Janet Grabowski was an incredible quarterback for him and supported our belief that Brandon was capable of more than what anyone thought possible. The pediatric palliative care team helped us tremendously through such a difficult time. Thank you Dr. Mike Harlos, Dr. David Lambert and our newest best friend Simone Stenekes; your care and compassion helped us so much in Brandon's final days. Brandon, we miss you terribly. Be free now. We know that little body of yours is running, jumping and playing now! That has always been our dream for you. Thank you for being our little buddy; for teaching us to believe, to fight and to never give up. You have worked so hard. It's time for you to play now. We love you. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brandon's trust fund, A Fight for Brandon . All proceeds will be forwarded on to the many research studies currently underway in the U.S. Our hope is for Brandon to continue playing a role in stopping this horrible disease from taking another young child far too soon. Cheques payable to A Fight for Brandon , 100-5 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3L 2T4. A celebration of Brandon's life will be held Wednesday, November 4 at the United Church, 1111 Dakota Street at 2:00 p.m. NEIL BARDAL INC. 204-949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 04, 2009