After living with bipolar disorder and autism all of his life, 10-year-old Haden Edwards has finally discovered one thing that can calm him down: taking care of his little brother Max.
Max, who is a 7-year-old struggling with a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis, usually suffers from many symptoms, such as gastrointestinal cramps, motor tics, and a weakened immune system. He underwent an unsuccessful brain surgery in August 2016 and the time is quickly approaching where his parents must decide to try again or start chemotherapy.
When Haden started escorting Max to his doctor’s appointments, he started to realize how tough his baby brother really was.
So, he asked his mother, Cynthia Davis, if he could have money to buy some toys for Max. Though she said that he could mow the lawn or do the dishes for allowance money, Haden decided he would use his skills as an artist instead.
Haden set up a table on the family’s front lawn with a sign saying “Selling Drawings For Mad Max: $1”.
When his mother put out a plea on Facebook for friends to take Haden up on his offer, 30 people arrived in under 30 minutes to request a picture from the young artist.
Haden has since raised over $1,000 through his special drawings. All of the money he earns, he puts towards Max; whether it’s taking him out for ice cream or buying him LEGOs.
His compassion has also infected the rest of his life; he now volunteers at Meals on Wheels, buys meals for local police officers, holds fundraisers for organizations in need, and grows out his hair so he can donate it to Locks of Love.
The positive thing about kindness, the shockwaves of its impact travel far, reaching distance and spaces unexpected.