Taylor Brown

Twelve-year-old Taylor Brown is no ordinary kid – despite her young age, Taylor has experienced more, endured more and been challenged more than any of us could ever imagine. Yet, she just keeps on smiling.

Taylor was born at 26 weeks gestation with multiple complications. Since then, she has battled a raft of illnesses that include cerebral palsy, osteoporosis and pituitary dwarfism. Two years ago, she underwent a multi-visceral (small bowel, pancreas, liver and colon) transplant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. But with the multi-visceral transplant complete, other complications arose. Taylor’s heart began to fail, requiring yet another life-saving surgery – the installation of a pacemaker.

With Taylor beginning to stabilize, other organs would continue to be affected. Taylor and her mother, Bev, next learned that Taylor’s kidneys were failing and that she would need a transplant. They remained optimistic, learning that Taylor’s brother was a perfect donor match. But hopes were soon rearranged when the medical team determined that the arteries to Taylor’s kidneys would not support a live donor kidney – her brother was no longer a viable donor option and Taylor would have to be put on a waiting list until a cadaver kidney become available.

Through it all, Taylor continues to prove herself as the “comeback kid.” Her family and friends describe her as a fighter with a strong will to live. They also confirm what’s obvious to anyone who meets her – she’s a sweetheart. Taylor operates her wheelchair with the speed and grace of a Formula 1 race car driver. She remains happy and chirpy – always upbeat. And, beneath the mask she is required to wear is a smile sure to brighten anyone’s day.

Today, Taylor remains on the organ donor waiting list. While she waits and continues to receive medical treatment at Cincinnati Children’s, Ronald McDonald House remains a “home away from home” for Taylor, her mom.

While Taylor and Bev have been living at Ronald McDonald House, they have enjoyed the community and the support of our House in so many ways. “The friends we’ve made and support we’ve received are huge,” says Bev. “We couldn’t have taken care of Taylor without the help of this House.”

Bev can’t say enough about how wonderful it is to “have all your needs taken care of – the meals, the nice room, so many activities for the kids and families. And, the other families, the staff and volunteers are all like family to us.” They know first-hand the real sense of “living” our House provides.

Also while they’ve been living at Ronald McDonald House, Taylor has been able to participate in many activities, both within the House and the Greater Cincinnati community. Taylor receives packages and lesson plans from her teachers back home in Canal Winchester, Ohio. Our in-House teacher, Ellie Linz, also provides continued curriculum guidance, support and tutoring to Taylor.

During their several visits to Ronald McDonald House, Taylor has met the Cincinnati Bengals – from rookies all the way up to Coach Marvin Lewis. She and other guest children helped Bengals Kicker Shayne Graham put the finishing touches on a soap box derby car for the Red Bull Soapbox Race. She helped create works of art to be permanently displayed in the House. She laughed with the other kids when Ringling Brothers – Barnum & Bailey Circus clowns and acrobats came to perform. Taylor was even invited to visit the Midwest Culinary Institute and spend the day making crème brulée with Master Chef John Kinsella. In short, she has been living a full and active life – as active as any critically ill child could ever hope for.

While Taylor continues to wait for her kidney transplant, she and her family remain grateful for all the support our House receives. All who continue to fund our House, according to Bev, “can never be thanked enough” for helping to keep our families together when it matters most.

Thank you for all you do for Taylor’s family and hundreds others like hers.