"Buffalo What?" Dad Cap

The McIntyres are a family of 5. Their two youngest children have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a genetic neuromuscular disease that causes muscles to become weak and waste away. People with SMA lose a specific type of nerve cord (called motor neurons) that control muscle movement. Without these motor neurons, muscles don't receive signals that make muscles move.

Both Bella And Eli were diagnosed with SMA in the first few days of their lives. They both received a treatment called Zolgensma, which is a gene therapy. This is not a cure and the results vary by individual. Both Bella and Eli have shown signs of progression since their treatments, but as they have gotten older their bodies have started to slow down and stop progression. As the SMA effects get worse they both have had numerous struggles and the hospital visits increase dramatically. Bella recently underwent a multi month stay on life support and now has a permanent tracheostomy. Both Eli and Bella have been in and out of the hospital about 8 months out of 2025, which has made it almost impossible for their parents to work or have any income.

Funds raised in this campaign will help support the McIntyres financially during this time.