BRAVE LIKE BECK FOUNDATION
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Beck's Story
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Brave Like Beck Foundation is dedicated to honoring the inspiring journey of Beckham, who was diagnosed at 7 months old with a rare genetic mutation as a type of Mitochondrial disease. An unexpected turn transformed him from a healthy baby into a warrior-- fighting a multi-organ failure genetic disorder, resulting in significant neurological challenges. As one of only 17 known cases globally, Beckham's unique story captured the attention of doctors around the world. In the worst of his days, medical teams told Beckham's parents that he would not make it home from the hospital. Palliative care stepped in to help his family make the most difficult decisions and just when it seemed all odds were against him, Beckham began fighting the strongest fight of his life- literally. Day by day, he started gaining more strength and recovering in ways they didn't think was possible. After 59 days, Beckham defeated all odds and was able to go home.
The journey didn't end there. Beckham's family was faced with new challenges as they navigated having a very medically fragile infant. Through their journey, they found an incredible village of medical professionals, interventionists, and an entire community who came together offering support. Beckham's story has allowed us to connect with families who have fought similar fights, shared their stories of fear and hope, and who have a desperate need for community support.
Makayla's Story
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On December 22, 2023, 15-year-old Makayla was spending the night at her friend’s house in Jupiter Farms when a devastating tragedy occurred. That evening, Makayla and her friend were taken out in a side-by-side off-road vehicle by the friend’s stepfather—who was intoxicated at the time. While riding on the streets, the vehicle flipped into a nearby canal.
Makayla became trapped underwater and was unresponsive by the time emergency crews arrived—approximately 11 minutes and 30 seconds after the accident. The adult responsible for her safety at the time ran off away from the girls. She was miraculously revived after 10 minutes of CPR, but the lack of oxygen caused devastating brain injuries.
In the months that followed, Makayla received intensive care at St. Mary’s Medical Center, including 60 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. She was later transferred to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, where she faced ongoing neurological complications as a result of the accident. Despite the heartbreak, Makayla continues to fight with incredible strength and courage.
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Makayla has undergone hundreds of hours of therapy, intensives, and neurological support. As a big sister to two younger siblings, Makayla's strong spirit and will to fight is apparent in her journey!
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Kelly's Story
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Kelly was just 4 years old when she woke up unable to walk or use her legs. After 5 long weeks of multiple ER visits, hospital stays, countless scans, a bone marrow biopsy, follow-ups with specialists, and endless back-and-forth with doctors, Paula and Eric finally got a diagnosis, Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma, a rare cancer.
On October 25, Kelly was rushed into emergency spinal surgery to give her the best possible chance to walk again. During the operation, what the neurosurgeon believed was a tumor turned out to be a large blood clot on her spinal cord. The surgery was a success in removing most of it, but Kelly’s case remains somewhat of an extremely rare medical mystery.
After 6 rounds of chemotherapy, Kelly's tumor has not shrunk. Starting in August, she will undergo radiation therapy at Orlando Health for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. Currently, she still has no feeling in her left leg from the knee down and no feeling in her right foot, which makes healing from small injuries difficult. She’s still on a daily antibiotic to prevent UTIs, and her team continues to manage neurogenic bladder and bowel. There have been small improvements, but she still needs to be catheterized every 4 hours. There have been multiple blood and platelet transfusions, and her parents learned she’s allergic to platelets—just one more unexpected challenge. Throughout all of the challenges, treatments, long travels, and longer nights, Kelly's spirit remains STRONG. She is a force to be challenged and she lights up the room with her tenacity!
Landon's Story
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Landon Kukla was born on May 8, 2023 after a smooth, full term delivery, but within hours his life took a critical turn. He developed Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, a life threatening condition that required emergency transport to Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami. There, Landon was placed on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a heart lung bypass machine that ultimately saved his life.
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Following ECMO treatment, Landon suffered a Left Middle Cerebral Artery stroke, which resulted in hemiparesis on the right side of his body, most notably affecting his right arm and hand. He also experienced seizures during his hospital stay and continues to be monitored by neurology and hematology specialists to manage long term risks.
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Despite these challenges, Landon’s story is one of resilience and remarkable progress. Through consistent therapy, often four to five sessions per week, along with multiple intensive programs, he has made extraordinary gains. What once included significant motor delays has transformed into a powerful comeback.
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Now just turning three years old, Landon is walking, running, and even jumping, milestones that once felt uncertain. He is also able to eat and drink independently, a major breakthrough after early and intense feeding and oral motor challenges. Today, his therapy focuses on strengthening movement patterns, improving balance and coordination, and supporting alignment through specialized equipment.
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Landon’s joyful and determined spirit shines in everything he does. He loves anything involving a ball, thrives on outdoor adventures, and lights up most when he is with his family, especially his older brothers. While his survival was made possible by life saving medical care, it is the ongoing intensive therapy that continues to shape his future.