Axel Strong

10/19/2026

I’ve been at a loss for words to try and explain how Saturday, October 10th turned out.

My greatest fear becoming a mother was loving someone so incredibly much that I wouldn’t know how I could possibly carry on if anything were to ever happen to my babies. Unfortunately, that fear became a reality and I’m still trying to figure out how the world continues to spin & how I continue to get up every day.

Saturday, October 10 - 5 days before what should have been Axel’s 9th birthday - we came together to honor, remember and celebrate the short life he did get, not the one he should have had.

For Axel’s Party, I poured every ounce of my heart into planning, prepping and setting up the most perfect way to capture Axel’s true spirit.

Not just the Axel who had MLD, & had to transform into a warrior.
The Axel who was our cowboy, the Axel who was a real life superhero, the Axel who loved all the sweet treats, the Axel who loved all animals & the outdoors, the Axel who loved chaos, music and joy; the Axel who was always the star of the show.. just to name a few.

Axel was a lot of things, he had a lot of heart and love to give. He was always gentle and kind, also ornery and mischievous - typical second child behavior, of course.

Trying to capture all he was and squeeze it into one day- no easy task. We did it, surface-level captured who he actually was, something I could have not done alone, and thankfully I didn’t have to.

We will continue to keep Axel’s memory and legacy alive, I will continue to talk about him and share his life with everyone I know, but things have shifted. Our stories and memories will not be medical updates and hospital admissions, our stories will be the life he lived and how much love he showed us; how much life he taught us.

I cannot thank you all enough how much we appreciate you and love you for always showing up and showing out for our little man. It truly takes a village and I am proud to say we have the best damn village anyone could ask for.

Saturday, October 10th was so Axel.
So “heartbreakingly beautiful” as one of my girls put it 🖤

10/16/2026

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy.
There has been so many birthdays I wished for you to have a life that MLD didn’t take everything you deserved and more from you.
But this year, you were supposed to turn 9.
This year I wished the hardest I could, that we would finally wake up out of this nightmare we’ve been in for 6+ years.
This year we celebrated you, without you here.
This year, has been the hardest year we’ve had to face & my heart continues to shatter for the life you should have had.

This year has been filled with so much sadness, and I know only more to come.
But today, and every day, we choose to celebrate you. Remember you. Talk about you. Laugh about the silly ornery boy you always were.
Not everyone could always see it, but mama always knew your sly little games & tricks.

This year, on your birthday, we picked up your favorite foods for dinner (queso dip) and all the sweet treats you loved so much.

The “motherboard” (aka the command center for Axel’s care team) has started filling with cards and letters of love, slowly covering up all the bu****it MLD brought you.

This year your bedroom has slowly been changing from a medical room to what a little boy’s room should look like.

But this year, you aren’t physically here.
And for that, I will never forgive the world from taking you from me.
For that; I will continue to burn every bridge, crumble every establishment, and hold every single medical professional accountable for failing you.

When your aunt tiff said “Because that fire in her? That fire was lit by a little boy named Axel. And best believe that will never go out.” Just know, I will spend the rest of my life fighting for the opportunities you never got.

We love you, my sweet boy.
Happy first heavenly birthday.
You would be 9 today, but in our world you will always be

10/16/2026