Meet Champion, Brooks

At 30 weeks pregnant, Brooks’s parents learned he had spina bifida, a neural tube defect that affects the spine and nervous system. Within 24 hours of his birth, he underwent surgery to close his spine. In the months that followed, he was also diagnosed with Chiari II malformation, hydrocephalus, scoliosis, and neurogenic bladder and bowel. Despite long hospital stays and ongoing medical challenges, Brooks radiates joy and determination. He is always on the move exploring, playing with his brother Charlie, and even trying theater classes. Talkative, imaginative, and fiercely independent, Brooks never lets his treatment define him. His journey has already inspired change. Brooks is the inspiration behind a nonprofit advocating for accessible spaces and inclusive opportunities in Southwest Louisiana. At just a few years old, Brooks is already making a lasting impact on his community