Mile 25

Caden’s journey began in August of last year with ongoing issues related to his digestive system. He was admitted monthly to a local hospital due to severe constipation and pain. The situation escalated when Caden began experiencing intense back pain. One day, he was in such unbearable discomfort that he collapsed at home and was rushed to the emergency room. His heart was racing, he said he couldn’t breathe—and then, he took his last breath. Caden went into cardiac arrest and required over 45 minutes of CPR to be revived. Against the odds, Caden came back, but doctors had to remove his small intestines. He spent the next several months in intensive care and rehab, facing multiple setbacks, including vomiting blood and overmedication.​

​But it wasn’t until Caden arrived at Manning Family Children’s for rehabilitation that the real answers began to unfold. There, Caden’s physical therapist noticed something was off, and pushed for an MRI. That scan revealed the root cause of Caden’s collapse: a spinal stroke. The swelling had triggered his cardiac arrest, a diagnosis that had been missed for months. With the correct diagnosis and expert care, Caden finally had a clear path forward. His care team focused not only on his physical recovery but on helping him understand and adjust to his new reality.​

​Today, Caden is defying expectations. He’s moving around well, regaining his strength, and making consistent progress in rehab, but his journey is not over. Caden’s memory, spirit, and determination have never wavered. His mom calls him a miracle—someone who, through faith, resilience, and the right care, continues to beat the odds every day.