Cranford Family’s Miracle Son Helps Bring Light to Mobility Awareness

Cranford 8-year-old, Luke Brown, brings many words to the minds of his parents Paul and Felice, such as “hero,” “inspiration,” “warrior” and “miracle.” At just nine-months-old, Luke suffered a brain injury during his third open-heart surgery that damaged his vision, speech and neurological functions and caused other health conditions.

When Luke entered his third surgery, his father Paul prayed that if anything, he just stay with the family. Although the family had scares and there were moments when they were told Luke might not make it through the night, he miraculously did and ended up being the family’s miracle.

“He’s our miracle,” Paul said. “Our hero, our warrior.”

Luke now relies on a special wheelchair to hold him up and to get him around town – and even further, like the family’s upcoming trip to Atlanta, GA.

Luke’s mother Felice does not look at Luke’s chair as a disability, she said many of us use two legs to get around and Luke has four wheels. The only time Luke’s chair becomes a problem is when Felice has to carry it over her back and lug it into her minivan.

The Brown’s found out about a “Local Hero” contest sponsored by Mobility Awareness Month where the winner will receive a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Although they entered late, the family has already received over 1,500 votes.

Paul said that wheelchair accessible vans can run between $40,000 and $60,000 and although used ones are out there you are not always sure what you are getting.

The winner of the Mobility Awareness Month contest will receive a customized van to their individual needs. The website states, “Very few people with disabilities require identical vehicle modifications.”

However, Felice says receiving the van isn’t the main priority for the family, they are just hoping to raise awareness about people with mobility issues. Felice wants the public to understand that kids and adults like Luke should be able to travel out of their homes like those who do not suffer from mobility issues. Winning the van would be a savior for Felice and Paul’s backs, but bringing light to these conditions is really what the contest is about.

Click here, to vote for Luke and read more about how the van would help the Brown’s. Voting will end May 10, winners announced May 20.

Often people will approach Felice asking her, “How do you do it?” or seem to feel sorry for her, but Felice said she never looks at it that way. Luke is her son and just like any parent would she does whatever she can for him, as well as her younger son Max who is 6.

Max is also an advocate for mobility awareness, his parents told Patch, he often brags about his brother Luke and will immediately try and stand up for his brother if he sees people staring at him.

“Anyone who gets to meet Luke is the lucky one,” Felice said. “Your life will change when you meet him.”

Paul cannot stress enough how much of a miracle Luke is in their lives. He even told the story of his grandmother who had always prayed that Luke would one day be able to talk. 

Towards the end of Paul’s grandmother’s life she called the family and Paul put Luke on the phone. Miraculously, Luke uttered the words “Hi Nana,” clear as day. Shortly after the phone call Luke’s Nana passed away, but not before hearing him speak, something she always said would happen.

Felice said that so many doctors, surgeons, friends, family and strangers have helped Luke, but Luke has helped the family so much more.

“He’s helped us see a different side of life that’s beautiful,” she said. “It’s our life and I wouldn’t change it.”