I've pledged to play games and raise funds for kids at my local children's hospital.

MY STORY

My name is Derek Schmitz and I'm a 19-year-old disabled advocate, streamer, student, and author. I have been a patient at Children's of Alabama since my first day on earth. Shortly after my premature birth, I had significant brain bleeds (strokes) on both sides of my brain, but primarily on my left side. This led to a diagnosis of right spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. That's a lot of words, but it basically means the right side of my body "underperforms" and is more difficult to use than my left side. After my strokes, I was given a prognosis of three days. I'm still here, thanks to their tireless efforts. 

Since then, I've have received physical and occupational therapy, including braces and other accessibility tools from Children's. When I was younger, I learned how to tie my shoes, walk, ride a bike, write my name, and do all the basic things that "normal" kids do at Children's. In fact, my first solid memory is learning how to write my name with the help of my occupational therapist. I also got casted into braces that kept my foot and arms functional.

All of these services I received when I was younger made life so much easier to navigate. I am now a successful and proud author, disability advocate, and queer person. None of my personal development would have been possible without the work of my teams at Children's that helped me unlock the abilities to talk, walk, read, and write.

I continue to receive these services to this day. I've had multiple foot surgeries to correct my clubfoot (as much as possible) and recovered from all of those with my teams at Children's. I continue to receive medical evaluation from my sports medicine doctor (who manages the CP) and a rheumatologist (who manages my arthritis, a common co-morbidity of CP). I receive new braces every year, along with physical strengthening therapy and mental healthcare as needed. 

I'm continuing my EXTRALIFE journey to keep giving back to the hospital that has given me so much. I hope you'll join me with a tax-deductible donation!

how EXTRALIFE works

• Now, more than ever, local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals need our help.

• I'm uniting with thousands of gamers to play games and change kids' health to change the future.

• Learn how local children's hospitals are being impacted by COVID-19 at kidscantwait.org.

• Donations through this page stay at my local children's hospital.

Your donation is tax-deductible and will make miracles happen for families who desperately need them. Simply click the "Donate" button at the top of this page to help.