‘Achieving Dreams for Addison’

Fundraiser 5-9PM Thursday at Joe Willy’s

(ROCKWALL, TX – April 21, 2018) A fundraiser benefiting local 10-year-old Addison Bryan will be held on Thursday, April 26, at Joe Willy’s from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Proceeds of the “Achieving Dreams for Addison” fundraiser will go towards Addison’s medical journey as she prepares to have surgery in May in West Palm Beach, Florida to lengthen her leg three inches.

Addison was born with Larsen’s Syndrome, a rare orthopedic condition that resulted in a dislocated hip, a club foot and knees that faced backwards. She underwent four surgeries before the age of 3 at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC), where she’s been a patient since birth. The surgeries have allowed Addison to be able to walk and run, although she is still unable to bend her legs. Her upcoming surgery will entail her to stay in Florida for a possibility of three to four months for rehabilitation, with future surgeries planned in Florida over the next few years to get her legs to bend.

The fundraiser will feature a silent auction and raffle (need not be present to win) with auction items including an outdoor stone fire pit donated by Custom Outdoor Trends, pool service for six months, a vacation beach house rental to Galveston for three nights, a Louis Vuitton purse, a Yeti cooler, Camp Gladiator, Rangers tickets and more. Local celebrity Lisa Taylor from 99.5 The Wolf will also join the fun Thursday night in support of Addison.

“We’ve had great support for Addison from the community already, and we’re hoping the community will be able to rally around her and support us through this journey,” said Addison’s mom Julie Bryan.

Addison has grown to be an advocate for TSRHC, the hospital that helped her to walk, run and play with her friends. For her eighth birthday, Addison made a wish to raise $8,000 for the hospital. She stood on the corner of her Shores neighborhood for days on end requesting donations and her efforts, along with a fundraising event at Cotton Patch Cafe in Rockwall, raised $19,500 for TSRHC. An anonymous donation of $50,000 saw Addison realize her goal nearly tenfold as she was able to present a $69,500 check to the hospital. Through several other different events that she has created on her own, Addison has raised and given back a total of over $135,000 to TSRHC.

Addison also took her love for playing at Breezy Hill Park located in her community and began advocating for parks and playgrounds in Rockwall to be redesigned with every child and person in mind, including those with special needs. Starting with her own school, Grace Hartman Elementary, she met with her principal and RISD board members with a goal to see all school playgrounds built to be all inclusive, with everyone in mind. She then turned her attention to the community’s city parks. After speaking at numerous city council meetings, Addison was able to have the city redesign the playground at Breezy Hill Park, while also gaining the commitment from the city that all future parks would be designed with every child and person in mind.

“Addison’s determination is an inspiration to everyone who knows her,” Julie Bryan said. “Addison’s teachers and friends at Grace Hartman have always supported her and her envisions she has for herself and her community. She’s not only an advocate for herself, but for others with special needs in our community.”

By Austin Wells. Photo courtesy of Julie Bryan.

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