Prout Family

When I was sick in the hospital back in April my mom and dad surprised me with VIP tickets to see KATSEYE and meet the girls! I've tried so hard to stay healthy and out of the hospital because I didn't want to miss it. On Sunday, I started getting sick again, and my mom begged my doctors to get me started on antibiotics right away so I wouldn't end up in the hospital and they did My sister Molly organized everything. She got me a KATSEYE jersey, picked out my outfit, and helped decorate my wheelchair and she did a great job! Katie and Elliott came to the concert too and I am grateful. I was first in line and I got to meet three of the girls, take pictures, go backstage, and watch their sound check. But then 30 minutes before the concert they canceled because one of the girls was sick. I'm so sad Megan got sick and I hope she's okay . I'm still so happy I got to meet some of the Katseye girls! They are going to reschedule the concert so I hope I won't be in the hospital and we can try again. @katseyeworld

Dear Mott Social Workers, Mott families and friends, It is with very heavy hearts that we share our decision to close the Larry Prout Jr. Courage Fund, effective immediately. For the past five years, our family has poured our hearts into this organization. What began as a way to honor Larry Jr.'s incredible courage and strength grew into something more meaningful than we ever could have imagined. Together, we have raised over well over $300,000 and helped more than 300 families facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Unfortunately, our own family's journey has become increasingly difficult. As many of you know, Larry Jr. has faced extraordinary medical challenges throughout his 25 years of life. With 120 surgeries, countless hospitalizations, serious infections, and ongoing complications, his medical journey has never been easy. This past year has been especially challenging, and his health continues to require an enormous amount of attention, care, and advocacy. His most recent hospitalization was particularly difficult, and we continue to face uncertainty surrounding his health and what lies ahead. In addition, my husband's health and the emotional and physical toll of everything our family has been through have brought us to a point where we simply cannot continue. For years, we have tried to balance caring for Larry Jr., managing our own family's challenges, and helping other families through the Courage Fund. We have done so with tremendous love and dedication, but the reality is that we are exhausted. As much as our hearts want to continue, we simply don't have anything left to give right now. Our family needs us, and we need to focus on our own health and well-being. Please know that this decision has not come easily. Every application, every family, every story, and every opportunity to help has meant so much to us. We have cried with families, celebrated with them, prayed for them, and carried their stories in our hearts. We are especially grateful to the social workers and Child Life teams who have worked alongside us over these five years. Your compassion and dedication to these families have been extraordinary, and it has been an honor to work with you. As we begin the process of formally dissolving the nonprofit, we intend to distribute the remaining funds equally between Child Life on 12 East and the NICU at Mott Children's Hospital, allowing Larry Jr.'s and his niece baby Elise's legacy of helping others to continue in a different way. Effective immediately, we will no longer be accepting new applications for financial assistance. Above all, I want everyone to know how incredibly proud we are of Larry Jr. This organization exists because of him. Despite everything he has endured, his life has touched hundreds of other families in ways he may never fully understand. Five years. More than 300 families helped. Over $300,000 raised. And countless memories and friendships that will stay with us forever. To the social workers, Child Life teams, donors, volunteers, and families who have supported us — thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We may be closing the Courage Fund, but the love behind it will never go away. Thank you for believing in our mission, trusting us with your families, and helping us make a difference. With heartfelt gratitude and love, Kathryn and Larry Prout and Larry Jr Larry Prout Jr. Courage Fund

From mom. Today was a bit better day. I think. Larry tested positive for a significant UTI, which explains the fever and rigors. He's receiving IV Zosyn every six hours, with each infusion running for three hours. His C. diff test was negative. There's still discussion about SIBO contributing to his digestive problems, and they may start medication for that as well. That one's been difficult because different doctors have different opinions. They've also completely changed his nutrition, and today I'm very cautiously saying it "went okay." We're praying this continues so we can avoid putting him back on TPN. Larry has multiple things going on, and we're not out of the woods yet. And here that one doctor wanted to discharge him on Monday and fought with me about it. Whatever. Tired. Sad. Overwhelmed .Trying to be hopeful.

From Mom and dad, I see you, Bear. Still in the tiny ER. GI just came in and did a consult, and Infectious Disease has also been in. We’re going to ask for his surgeon to come up and evaluate him as well. CT was done. The usual labs. NPO. Pain management. Bowel obstruction or ileus. They want to do a scope to see why stool that did come out was pure black. (Now...nothing) Larry is officially admitted, but they just don’t have a bed available yet, so we’re still waiting in the ER. Please keep Bear in your prayers, that a bed opens up soon, that his doctors can figure out what is going on, that they can get his pain under control, and that we finally get some answers. Thank you so much for continuing to pray for him.

From Mom from this past midnight Midnight trip to the hospital. Larry Jr.’s gut pain has become so severe that we headed in and he has been admitted. His goal was to stay out of the hospital and make it to Mike’s wedding and our mighty Bear did it. He made it through the wedding and held on for three more days. Please say some extra prayers tonight for Larry Prout Jr. Please pray that the doctors can quickly figure out what is causing this pain, that they can give him relief, and that we can get him back home soon. His next three goals are the Katseye Concert and the Arc Fashion Show and a Michigan Football Game. Larry fights so much. Every day of his life. Through pain and fatigue and yet he always smiles. Please, God, wrap him in Your arms and give him strength, comfort, healing, and peace.

Last month, Elise, John, and Steph dropped off snacks and supplies purchased with funds raised at Elise’s birthday celebration and the 4th Annual Larry Prout Jr. Courage Fund RUN WITH THE BEAR race, for the Mott Hospital Brandon NICU Tea Cart. 💙 The Tea Cart provides drinks and snacks for both families and staff in the NICU. It’s a small but meaningful way to give back to the incredible staff who helped save John and Steph's baby, and so many others, while also bringing a little comfort to families during some of their hardest days. And at the heart of all of this is our sweet Elise. Born 4 months early, she spent seven long months in the Mott NICU, where she received extraordinary care from people who became such an important part of her story. We watched this tiny little girl fight harder than anyone should ever have to fight, and today we are so incredibly grateful to have her home, growing, smiling, and reminding us every day just how strong she is, and grateful for the care she received. 💜 Thanks to your generosity, Elise and her mommy and daddy through Elise's NICU Fund were able to donate $125, along with bone broth packets, mini chocolate bars, beef sticks, fig bars, yogurt fruit snacks, stir sticks, electrolyte packets, hot cocoa, granola bars, and packs of cheddar crackers. In honor of Elise and NICU Awareness Month, thank you to everyone who supported this special project. Your kindness allows us to give back to a place and the people who mean so much to our family. 💛 – at Howell, MI