louie's story
Louie R. Merlo was born normal and at age 1 month-old suffered a massive intraventricular cerebral hemorrhage most likely resulting from an AV malformation at birth. The prognosis was not good for Louie. While still being responsive to stimuli and very much engaged with loved-ones, Louie was never able to communicate or have any type of purposeful muscle control. Louie was a severely physically and cognitively impaired child; he experienced frequent seizures, was fed through a G-Tube and had a VP shunt which required numerous surgeries throughout his lifetime.
That was Louie’s medical condition - Louie’s psycho-social life was a very different story. Louie was the epitome of joy. He had a smile that radiated the essence of love and happiness. He adored his big brother Rick, and Rick’s many friends whose lives Louie left a lasting impression upon. Louie peacefully left this world in the arms of his beloved mother on the morning of June 22, 2004 alongside his Dad and big brother.
Understandably Louie’s family has a special place in their hearts for families who face the challenges these kinds of medical hardships create. While medical expenses are covered by insurance, there are many kinds of “Life Luxuries” that are not covered by medical insurance but certainly can add to the quality of life for the families of these patients.
Until you have lived with someone who suffers from significant physical and/or cognitive limitations, you cannot even begin to imagine all the disadvantages that exist.
It is the mission for our Foundation to provide some of these Life Luxuries in order to share the joy that was the essence of Louie’s short life. Louie had a smile that would light up the room - it is our intention to help create these kinds of smiles again knowing our Louie is looking from above knowing all the pain and suffering he endured here on earth is creating this pay-it-forward kind of effect on the world.
That was Louie’s medical condition - Louie’s psycho-social life was a very different story. Louie was the epitome of joy. He had a smile that radiated the essence of love and happiness. He adored his big brother Rick, and Rick’s many friends whose lives Louie left a lasting impression upon. Louie peacefully left this world in the arms of his beloved mother on the morning of June 22, 2004 alongside his Dad and big brother.
Understandably Louie’s family has a special place in their hearts for families who face the challenges these kinds of medical hardships create. While medical expenses are covered by insurance, there are many kinds of “Life Luxuries” that are not covered by medical insurance but certainly can add to the quality of life for the families of these patients.
Until you have lived with someone who suffers from significant physical and/or cognitive limitations, you cannot even begin to imagine all the disadvantages that exist.
It is the mission for our Foundation to provide some of these Life Luxuries in order to share the joy that was the essence of Louie’s short life. Louie had a smile that would light up the room - it is our intention to help create these kinds of smiles again knowing our Louie is looking from above knowing all the pain and suffering he endured here on earth is creating this pay-it-forward kind of effect on the world.
