Braelen Paschal

Braelen James Paschal
September 24, 2009 – April 14, 2023

Braelen James Paschal was born in Anderson, IN at Community Hospital on September 24th, 2009. On that day, were it not for the care of skilled medical professionals, Braelen would not have lived at all. Braelen aspirated in the birthing canal and wasn't moving once he was removed. The doctor and nurses sprang into action. It seemed as if Braelen would never meet his family. After opening his airways and giving him a few pats on the butt Braelen sprang to life.

Braelen struggled to gain weight the first few weeks. It was determined that he was born with three holes in his heart. Braelen would undergo open-heart surgery at just eight weeks old. The skilled hands of Dr. Abraham and the knowledge of the heart specialists at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, IN helped Braelen to have a successful surgery. His family including his loving mother, father, sister, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, and uncles were there to cheer him on. Braelen eventually began to breathe on his own and he was removed from machines in time to go home for Christmas.

Braelen struggled developmentally and was later diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a condition that causes, among other things, rigidity of the joints. He also suffered from a rare chromosomal deletion. It would require many exercises, therapy sessions, stretches, and surgeries for him to do things that most people do second nature, like eating or walking. As Braelen got older, he began to have seizures. His life would never be normal, but it never deterred him from working hard, going for what he wanted, being independent with a laugh and a contagious smile.
Braelen loved the feeling of different textures, flashing lights, big girls (lol), his friends and teachers at Erskine Elementary, Goynes Elementary, and Sedway Middle School. He loved riding the bus to and from school and he loved the bus drivers and bus drivers' aids. Braelen loved his therapists, even though he may not have cooperated most of the time (lol}, he loved his in-home nurses but most of all Braelen loved his dog Achilles and his family, especially his big sister.

On April 14th, 2023, Braelen was called to serve in God's Army. He had suffered a seizure in his sleep and was found peacefully unresponsive. Braelen was 13 1/2 years old. He leaves behind his loving mother Kimberly, father Brian, sister Olivia, grandmothers, Ophelia Paschal and Annie Travis, as well as a host of aunts, cousins, uncles, classmates and friends. Braelen will forever be remembered for his compassion, determination, fight, grit, laugh, smile, strength, toughness, unconventionality, and zeal. May we all exhibit these attributes in moments of weakness and vulnerability.


Long Live Braelen