Because I Live for Today
i'm bilt
different
Our Reason
After being diagnosed with a brain tumor and epilepsy, Hudson had a saying, "I'm Bilt Different." We thought about how each person is built differently because of conditions seen or unseen. That's when we came up with the idea of selling products that people would embrace, wear with pride, and encourage conversations around being different. A portion of sales will go to their choice of a medical condition.
Our Story
May 21, 2020. The world was dealing with COVID. Everyone in the nation was struggling in their way. As a family, we were right there with the country. Two young kids ripped from their schools, and two parents trying to balance working from home while providing stability as a family. The one difference; we were woken up on the morning of May 21 by our youngest son Hudson who was having a seizure. Hudson was taken by ambulance to our local hospital, where they found a lesion on his brain. Quickly the decision was made for him to be rushed to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where a large care team addressed us. The care team bluntly told us that the lesion was a brain tumor pressing on his optic nerve, causing the seizures. It felt like someone just ripped something out of you at that moment. After endless conversations with nurses and doctors, we had to devise a plan.
On July 30, 2020, Hudson had a laser ablation surgery to do a biopsy and remove what they could of the tumor in a complicated location deep in his brain, right next to his optic nerve. We knew this would not remove all of the tumor, but it gave Hudson the best chance to retain his sight and continue his childhood as he knew it. Only time will tell.
Fast forward to these days, the focus is on finding the proper medication and what triggers the seizures. This is just some of our story. Everyone has a story, a struggle. No matter the struggle, it is still a struggle, and your life changes. For some, you learn to adapt; for others, it’s more complicated. Somedays can be hard, really hard, and you ask yourself why, how will I get through this? What’s to come? Throughout this journey, Hudson has stayed optimistic and focused on what matters most- Living life, being in the moment, and embracing the day. He often says, “I’m BILT different.” Each of us is.
I’m BILT different- Because I Live for Today.