In Loving Memory of Jared
Taken to Heaven
December 11, 2009

Dear Parents, Educators, and Care-Givers,

At six-weeks old, my daughter Nicole noticed something terribly wrong with her son Jared. "He was stiff and his hands were twitching," said Nicole. Jared was airlifted to the Medical College of Virginia, put on a ventilator and placed in an induced coma. The blood to his brain was shunted off as doctors attempted to diagnose the problem.

The authorities suspected abuse. Jared's father was charged and convicted of child neglect and abuse.

Jared is now in our care, his grandparents, Steve and Kathy Stowe. With a trachea tube attached to his throat, and a feeding tube attached to his stomach, he requires round-the-clock care. Jared's life expectancy is a mere 5 years.

My wife Kathy now lives a different life than she thought she might. Rarely leaving our home or taking personal time for herself, she is Jared's guardian angel. Kathy's gentle care lights up his eyes as they follow her around the room. There is no doubt about Jared's love for his devoted grandmother.

And there is little doubt about Jared's resilience. His courage inspired us to form Shaken Baby Syndrome of Virginia, Inc. Our non-profit foundation educates parents, grandparents, educators, and care-givers about this dangerous and life-threatening condition.

Follow Jared's Journey in "My Littlest Hero" and "My Littlest Hero: The Journey Continues." Browse our site at your leisure; meet our newest beauty, Juliana Thaxton; and let us know if there is anything we can do to assist in Your Journey.

Steve Stowe
President
Shaken Baby Syndrome of Virginia, Inc.