"It's his smile."

For a little boy who has never spoken a word, Harlan has always had a remarkable way of communicating. His smile greets families as they walk into church each Sunday from the front row. It brightens grocery store aisles. It has become so recognizable around town that strangers don't always remember his parents' names.

They simply know them as Harlan's mom and dad. And it's a title they wear with pride.

At 12 years old, Harlan lives with an extraordinarily rare mutation of the FITM2 gene, along with Dandy-Walker syndrome. His body can't properly store fat from the food he eats. He cannot walk, crawl, talk, hold his head independently, or eat solid foods. 

He recently underwent surgery to receive a feeding tube and now faces additional breathing complications that require constant monitoring.

His parents have learned to adapt to challenges they never imagined. Amanda stays home full-time to provide around-the-clock care while Harlan's dad, Frankie, supports the family and continues doing what first responders know well: solving problems one step at a time.

Sometimes those solutions don't come from a manual. Sometimes they come from a welder.

Years ago, determined that his son deserved more than watching life from the sidelines, Harlan's dad cut apart an old tree stand, welded together a custom bracket, and secured a car seat to the back of his four-wheeler.

Just like that, family adventures looked a little different.

They rode country roads to visit grandparents. They explored together. Harlan grinned the entire way.

"He always had such a big smile on his face," Frankie said.

That smile has become the family's compass.

Harlan has always loved to explore. Before recent surgeries limited his mobility even more, he would roll himself through the house in search of new rooms, carefully maneuvering through doorways before kicking the door shut behind him. His parents laughed that if a door was left open, Harlan considered it an invitation to investigate.

Outside has always been his favorite destination.

He loves the ocean, fish, horses, Bluey, Toy Story, and feeling like he's part of whatever adventure everyone else is having. These days, he spends much of his time resting on a memory foam mattress on the floor, watching television or smiling as he watches other children run and play.

His parents know he wants to be out there with them. The challenge is getting there.

His everyday wheelchair works well on smooth pavement, but grass, gravel, trails, and uneven ground quickly become obstacles. Family outings often require carrying Harlan or physically lifting and balancing the chair over rough terrain.

For a family that dreams in adventures, those limitations can feel especially heavy. Even so, hope has never been in short supply.

Throughout years of hospital stays, surgeries, new diagnoses, and unanswered questions, Harlan's parents have continued choosing happiness whenever they can find it. They laugh together. They celebrate every victory. They lean on their church, their family, and a community that has surrounded them with unwavering support.

His dad admits asking for help didn't always come naturally, though.

As a firefighter and lifelong fixer, he was used to carrying the weight himself. Harlan changed that.

"This boy has broke me," he said with a laugh. "Now if I need help, I don't hesitate."

That willingness to accept help is what led them to Chive Charities.

Thanks to your generosity, Harlan is receiving an adaptive all-terrain wheelchair that will allow him to venture far beyond sidewalks and parking lots. Rocky trails, parks, beaches – maybe even some more neighborhood adventures. The total impact was $5,684.

His dad is already thinking ahead, planning small modifications to make the chair fit Harlan perfectly because that's simply what he does.

He builds things that make adventure possible.

Maybe they'll stay close to home and explore their church grounds. Maybe they'll head toward the mountains. 

Maybe they'll find themselves back at the beach, where Harlan once "ran" across the sand in his father's arms.

Wherever they go, one thing is certain.

Harlan's smile will lead the way.

Since 2012, Chive Charities has provided life-changing grants to veterans, first responders, and families living with rare medical diagnoses like Harlan's. This adaptive all-terrain wheelchair is only possible because of donors who believe every family deserves the chance to make memories together, no matter where the trail leads.

Please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a monthly donor today. Together, we can help more families like Harlan's discover their next adventure. DONATE HERE.