Hello! We are excited that you have discovered the Brody Gene Sims Memorial Benefit and are eager for you to learn more about our mission and get involved with all of the exciting events that take place throughout the year! To begin, Brody Gene Sims was born on August 3, 2010 and unexpectedly passed away on November 7, 2014. During pregnancy and birth, the doctors were concerned and warned Brody’s parents on the potential of a diagnosis of Down Syndrome or Brody having a larger head or being of shorter stature. Machelle ended up having an emergency c-section a few weeks prior to her original due date and the sweetest boy was brought into the world and into our family. Brody had a variety of complications and was placed in the NICU shortly after birth secondary to difficulties with the ability to suck, swallow, and breathe consecutively. When Brody was two months old he had surgery for a feeding tube placed and was dependent on that throughout the remaining years of his life. Shortly before Brody’s first birthday, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation known as Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome (CFC Syndrome), which was ultimately the cause of his passing. With the diagnosis came a variety of needed therapy services - Brody received services in the home setting until the age of three years old, when he was transitioned into the public school system to have services provided. His love for school and learning was what fueled my families passion to begin a foundation in his memory that would allow us to financially assist deserving high school seniors to further their education at the next level, in Brody’s memory. There is so much to Brody’s story and how the BGSMB has grown so rapidly over the past seven years; therefore, if you have questions or are interested in learning more PLEASE don’t hesitate to reach out to us on any of our social media platforms! Once again, thank you for joining us on our journey and WELCOME to the BGS Memorial family.