We adopted our son, Locke, when he was 6-days-old and fell in love with him on the drive home from the adoption agency. At the time, we had no idea that he was born with a congenital brain defect. We began to notice some delays when he was 2-months-old and discussed our concerns with his pediatrician. After an MRI, Locke was diagnosed with a rare brain malformation called bilateral, open-lip schizencephaly. As a result, we were told he would have global developmental delays and likely had no vision. We were in shock and devastated. We had no idea what we were getting into but whatever it was, we felt completely unequipped to handle it.

Specialists, therapies, hospitals, and medical equipment immediately became part of our daily lives. And it all cost money. Haley reduced her hours at work to have more time for Locke’s care and coming off the heels of a private adoption, we quickly felt the financial impact. It never occurred to us that our insurance would not cover items needed for a child with such significant medical needs.

Over the years, the out-of-pocket cost of Locke’s adaptive and medical equipment has been our most challenging expense to manage. The equipment is very expensive and children grow quickly, which means it can’t be utilized for long before it is outgrown. Although it has not always been easy, God has provided for our family every step of the way. We want to do our part to bridge the gap for families experiencing these same financial challenges.

We created unlocked with a mission to fund adaptive or medical equipment for families raising children with disabilities. Every child has value. Every child has potential. Please join us as we work together to unlock the potential of these special kids with special abilities.

Chris and Haley