• A note from Dr. Brad Schlaggar, Head of Pediatric Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA:

 

Thank you, Jessica and Brendon's Smile, for raising awareness about pediatric stroke. Your inspiring mission of education, advocacy, and support is critically important for children in St. Louis, throughout the US, and everywhere your voice and words reach.

 

 

• Dr. Nico Dosenbach is the very first recipient of the "Brendon's Smile Foundation Childhood Stroke Research Award". This inaugural award was presented to him in March 2015.

 

    The vision Dr. Nico (as we all fondly refer to him as) has, the very basis         of his research, is one that I, Jessica Spear, have had since day one of         starting this foundation. The beauty of it is his GREAT mind validates my       hopes and dreams for our children who have endured strokes.

 

    During one of my many conversations with him, I have had the pleasure       of discussing the mission of Brendon's Smile and my passion for our             children, he used the word "cure". In my years of working with all of the

    brilliant neurologists he is the first to use that word. While this may not be     the case for my son I believe it to be the case for someone else's child in     the future.

 

    Listen to Dr. Nico's words in the Commencement Speech he delivered on       May 15, 2015 to the Washington University OT School Graduates.  I am           honored for his shout out... yet, listen to his message to these new OTs, it       will give you hope for the direction we are heading for all children             impacted by TBI, including stroke, (and eventually all people).

 

    Brendon's Smile couldn't be more proud to have the opportunity to             support the work that is being done for our children.

 

    Click on the link and start at "minute 30" to hear the introduction of Dr.        Nico and then his fabulous commencement speech.