Kaden Strek, 8, of
St. Clair Shores, will travel to China in June for stem cell
treatment. A fundraiser to help cover the cost of the trip is
set for May 15 in Warren.
A trip overseas
for stem cell treatment may give little Kaden Strek, 8, the chance
to see his favorite television show, "The Wiggles," rather than
just listen to the music.
Kaden's parents, Tom and Elizabeth "Eddie" Strek, also hope that
the trip and treatment - which totals $45,000 - will allow Kaden
to walk and speak, in addition to improving his sight. There's no
guarantee, but they are still determined to try and after about 18
months of fundraising, the Streks, of St. Clair Shores, are only
around $5,000 short of their goal.
"It's really exciting to think of what the possibilities might be
for him. It's just amazing to think he might be able to see,"
Eddie Strek said.
Eddie has booked a trip to Shijiazhuang, China, in June where
Kaden will receive a series of umbilical cord blood stem cell
treatments at Bethune International Peace Hospital, where they
will stay for 45 days. These treatments are not available in the
United States.
A May 15 fundraiser at Johnny B Good's Sports Bar in Warren is
scheduled to offset the cost of the trip, and raise money to buy
Kaden a $2,500 special-needs stroller and a new walker, which
costs $500. The spaghetti dinner fundraiser is $10 for adults and
$8 for children.
Tom and Eddie, who also have two daughters, adopted Kaden as an
infant. Eddie said Kaden's birth mother was an addict; the day he
was born, his mother tested positive for heroin, cocaine and
crystal meth, Eddie said. As a result, Kaden delivered prematurely
with numerous health problems. He weighed only 2 pounds when he
was born at 27 weeks.
"He wasn't expected to live," Eddie said. "In fact, he did die a
few times."
Kaden is legally blind, and has cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus and
developmental apraxia of speech. Despite his disabilities, Kaden
has excelled in a few ways. He is able to walk with the use of a
walker for a short distance, he's fully toilet trained, he can
feed himself and drink from a straw, he knows around 10-15 words
and 10 signs, and he continues to show a determination to do more,
Eddie said.
"He's tough, he doesn't complain and he just has an incredible
will," Eddie said. "He's incredibly motivated to do more. He wants
to get around. He wants to keep up. He wants to play with his
sisters."
Tom and Eddie have kept Kaden in therapy programs since he was 5
months old, including physical, occupational, vision, speech,
swimming, orientation and mobility therapies. He's also receiving
a limited amount of costly intensive therapy. Kaden attended the
Penrickton Center for Blind Children in Taylor and is now a
student at the Keith Bovenschen School in Warren.
Despite all the therapy he has received, Eddie believes Kaden has
reached a plateau and that the stem cell treatments are the best
route.
"If we could get a little more vision, he might be able to walk
with walking sticks, then a walker, or he might be able to use
something like a communication board," she said. "There isn't
anybody who goes backwards (after stem cell therapy); he'll
benefit regardless."
When he's not at school or therapy, Kaden enjoys listening to
music and the television - in addition to "The Wiggles," Kaden
likes "Wipeout" - and pounding on his drums. He also enjoys
listening to books and playing outside on his swing or therapy
bike.
"He has such an incredible sense of humor; he loves to laugh,"
Eddie said. "He's just such a sweet, loving little boy."
The May 15 fundraiser takes place from 1:30 to 7 p.m. at Johnny B
Good's, 26230 Groesbeck Highway in Warren. For information or to
donate, visit
www.helpkaden.org