You know how sometimes in life you go through a bad moment, and when your friends hear about it later, they say, "Why didn't you say something? Why didn't you ask? We would have helped."

Very briefly, here's their story. Caleb Moore, 12, injured his head in a bicycle crash in November, 2012, as he cruised along Hermiston’s Fourth Street. The boy’s BMX-style bike suddenly broke where the front forks meet the head tube and he landed on his chin, breaking his jaw and shaking his brain. The bike helmet he wore may have prevented even worse damage, however, a year later, he still loses his balance and suffers from headaches, light sensitivity, irritability and double vision. To keep his brain calm, he wears glasses with blue lenses and his mom painted his bedroom blue. He has trouble remembering. His parents and siblings divide their time between home and Portland’s Ronald McDonald House as Caleb undergoes surgery, testing and therapy. The Hermiston boy spent more than a month with his jaw wired shut, sipping chicken broth and smoothies through a straw.  Worst of all, he is losing his sight. Though his eyes work fine, the part of the brain controlling vision is malfunctioning.

Because of their numerous trips to Portland for treatment, Tom and Rachel Moore moved their children to the Echo School District because of its four-day-a-week schedule. Their budget is strained due to Thom being between jobs at the time of the accident. The Oregon Health Plan pays for Caleb’s care, though potentially not some of the expensive therapy, meals and gasoline.

On behalf of the staff and board of directors of The Brain Injury Alliance of Oregon (BIAOR), we are asking for your help by donating funds, gas cards or other items such as plane tickets for the family to take Caleb to Johns Hopkins.  Donations are tax deductible (Federal ID# 93-0900797).  If you can, please make a donation at: http://www.biaoregon.org/donation.htm.  All donors will receive a donation letter and will be acknowledged in the BIAOR newsletter and on the website if desired.

Second, please spread the word about this appeal by sharing this message with friends and colleagues and join us in helping or Caleb. 

Your contribution will allow Caleb and his family to continue with his needed therapies.