Meet Our CMN Hero – Rhett!

There are lots of things Rhett has come to love about life: Dairy Queen ice cream; his dog, Koda; tractor and ATV rides; and listening to music. The list goes on. He has a contagious smile, witty sense of humor and has found his joy despite the many hurdles he’s faced – starting almost immediately after his birth. 

Rhett, from Brownsville, Minn., was born five weeks premature at just four pounds. After 8 days in the NICU, it was discovered that Rhett had hydrocephalus. That prompted a flight to a Madison hospital, where he’d remain for the first 11 weeks of his life. What followed were years of seizures, surgeries, cerebral palsy and sleep apnea diagnoses, and evolving needs for in-home adaptive equipment. 

But even after all Rhett has been through in his young life, with his parents Elliot and Michelle by his side, he continues to persevere. That’s what makes him so remarkable, and that’s what makes him our Hero.  

From the very beginning, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has been there to support the Breeser family in several ways. They provided gas cards for the many trips to Madison, music therapy lessons for almost five years, and assistance with expensive adaptive equipment the Breesers would need for their home. Those were a huge help during a stressful time. 

“CMN Hospitals can be a bright spot on a dark day. Even something as seemingly small as meal vouchers to remind parents to eat and keep up their strength in order to be able to take care of their child is so very helpful and one less expense for parents to worry about. Thank you, donors, from the bottom of our hearts. Your help means the world to us because our child means the world to us.” Michelle says.   

It’s that support that has helped Rhett enjoy the simple things in life like playing with his brother, cousins and grandparents and swinging at the park. And it’s helped Elliot and Michelle rest easier, knowing that support is just around the corner.