The definition of a hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for bravery. By that definition, Avery Becker is a hero.
Angela Becker looks to little brother Avery for inspiration. Photo by Pamela Becker.
Avery Becker was born on June 10th, 1997 at just over 3 lbs. Doctors and nurses said he would be in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for at least a month, but his family said he was a fighter and at only three days old he proved the doctors and nurses wrong and went home to join the rest of his siblings.
At six weeks of age, Avery contracted meningitis’ he was put in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) and the doctors told his parents the outlook was grim. Avery spent two weeks in the hospital fighting the infection, but came through and returned home. From birth to four years old, Avery was in and out of hospitals. He struggled with eating issues and growing issues. At three years old he was diagnosed with Russell Silver Syndrome, which is a form of dwarfism that also comes with many respiratory issues. Avery always fought through, never complaining, rarely crying. He put up with surgeries, IV’s, central lines, and feeding tubes placed in his stomach.
Right before Avery’s fourth birthday, he was again hospitalized. Doctors spoke to his parents, telling them that it was time to call “Make a Wish” while Avery could still enjoy his wish. The prognosis was not good. His stomach and intestines were not working correctly, his breathing was in the danger zone and a life on Total Parental Nutrition (being fed by IV through a port surgically put in his chest) was going to shorten his life. Living past four was highly unlikely with all of the medical problems he was having. But Avery was not willing to be counted out; he only knew how to fight on.
Two days after Avery’s fourth birthday a doctor made a mistake by giving him the wrong medication, and Avery had a massive stroke while in his mother’s arms. The doctors told them there was not much hope for survival, and if he did survive, he most likely would never walk and talk again. His parents heard the words, but knew that he was not one to give up. He was in a coma when a pastor came in to pray with the family. As the pastor ended the prayer, Avery mumbled, “amen.” Everyone realized that Avery was still fighting inside that little body and would not give up. Avery’s mom, Pam Becker, says, “Avery’s stoke was the scariest thing we’ve gone through as a family, but we knew he had the strength to overcome this obstacle, so we prayed a lot, and he came through.”
Avery spent two and a half months in the hospital having occupational and physical therapy. “Sitting in the hospital for that long was very hard; I couldn’t really do anything but watch TV,” says Avery. Inspired doctors worked extra hard to be able to go back to feeding him through his feeding tube and getting him off of TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition.) Avery worked hard learning to walk and talk again. Small steps led to larger ones and, after a year, Avery was walking and talking.
Avery’s life has been one that, thankfully, few kids have to endure, yet Avery does it with bravery and courage. Often doctors have struggled with answers. He has visited the ICU many times and is not a stranger to Children’s Hospital and National Jewish Hospital. He attended three years at Kunsberg, a school specializing in helping kids with serious illnesses, which is on the campus of National Jewish Hospital, before coming to TJ. “I loved Kunsberg, but I love TJ even more,” says Avery.
On many hospitalizations his parent were told they were fearful that he would not turn around and he was at “end of life numbers’” but Avery has never given up nor has he ever felt sorry for himself. “He faces every day with a smile, even when it’s hard to smile. His doctors say Avery forces them to relook at the situation and shows them that if he is willing to fight on, they need to work harder to help him in his battle,” says Pam Becker.
Adding up his time in medical institutions, Avery has been hospitalized for well over a full year of the 15 that he has been on this earth. He has to work harder than most in school, and friendships are difficult when kids don’t always understand where he is coming from. He is very shy and wants no one’s pity. He prefers that he is just one of the gang. The one thing I know, however, is that Avery faces all circumstances with hope and courage, where others would crumble. If you asked those who know him for a word that would describe Avery, the word would be “courageous.” His faith and his love for life have others realizing that we shouldn’t worry about the little things and should live life to the fullest.
“Avery is a person who may be hard to get to know, but is definitely worth the effort. He lives life, because he loves it,” says Pam Becker. He is allergic to the cold, but you will still find him with the best of them having a snowball fight. He struggles with breathing, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to participate in track at TJ. He struggles with over stimulation, but was willing to suffer through volleyball games to be the manager. I want you all to understand and appreciate this incredible person who I love. He is my hero, and, more importantly, he is my brother.
