Meet Teddy Kelly-Clark

Teddy was born June 15th, 2018. He was the final piece of our family. Teddy was always full of surprises and kept us on our toes. He loved to be snuggled, to play and to go on adventures. He was best friends with his big sister Catie. He enjoyed being with friends at school and church.

In October of 2022 we noticed that Teddy’s left eye was crossing. We attempted to get his eyes checked to see if he needed glasses. One Sunday after church Teddy had slurred speech and drooping to his face. I raced him to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. I kept telling him that we were going on a great adventure to keep him calm. When we arrived at the hospital Teddy was rushed back and evaluated for a stroke. After his assessment we were told the news that the CT scan found a mass on his brain stem, what we would later find out would be D.M.G.

Teddy had surgery and spent all of November 2022 at Children’s hospital. After surgery he struggled with regaining his motor skills and speech. Early December he started radiation. Surprisingly he loved to play in the waiting room with me, including a toy kitchen where he would make me onion milkshakes.

Teddy loved food playsets, Bluey, and Mickey Mouse. He was always wanting to play and run around with Daddy.

When Teddy’s time came it was very quick. One week before he passed, he was outside playing on the trampoline, 7 days later he was gone.

Our goal is to help other families now and in the future. We donated Teddy’s brain and tumor for research so that one day this horrible disease can be cured so no other child will have to fight this battle again.