May 21, 2008 a special red-headed boy was born.  Little did his parents and older sister would know how much his special abilities would impact the world over the next 14 years and after.  Ian Paul Eckert was born like a typical baby boy, 8lbs. 4oz 19.5 inches long with a good apgar score however within 36 hours the future started to become uncertain.  After overcoming two blood infections, colon surgery, hospitalizations in 3 different hospitals, and many other test and procedures, Ian went home for the first time September 5, 2008 (105 days).  Ian was eventually diagnosed with neurological impairments, Cerebral Palsy and Pachygyria with significant White Matter loss however throughout the years the Drs were never able to fully diagnose him with any one syndrome.  Throughout the next 14 years Ian and his family attended hundreds of clinical appts.  Ian underwent several surgeries, procedures, port implants, infusions, etc..the family would travel to various locations to see specialists and of course Ian experienced many hospitalizations.  In fact, Ian became a regular visitor with the local hospital pediatric ICU.  In June 2020, Ian had a life changing lymphatic surgery at Children's of Philadelphia and was growing and thriving throughout the rest of 2020 and all of 2021.....that is until December 19, 2021.  Ian experienced yet another life changing event however this time it was for the worse.  Ian picked up cold virus that quickly triggered respiratory distress prompting his parents to race to the ER and Ian being put on a ventilator.  Within the next three days Ian then had two strokes; one that hemorrhaged and no true reasoning why those strokes (first ever in his life) happened.  Several tests concluded Ian's chest wall was compressing against the airway and due to an (unknown until this timeframe) birth deformity it would be extremely difficult to repair.  The future was again was uncertain.  Ian, over 13 1/2 years taught himself how to manage his moderate scoliosis, this unknown growing airway deformity and all the other underlying issues that came his way.  As the year turned into 2022 Ian seemed to physically start to heal from the stroke effects, but started to became dependent on oxygen assistance and experience more valid anxiety surrounding his airway concerns.  The strokes obviously erased all that Ian taught himself therefore at this point in his health status, it was truly difficult to start over.  After several months of brain healing from the strokes and a few more hospitalizations surrounding the airway concerns and increasing respiratory distress incidents, the medical staff concluded Ian had a 3 part airway deformity and there was nothing they could do to fix it.  Therefore in mid-July 2022 Ian's family began palliative measures so that Ian was very comfortable and content until his amazing race on earth was finished.