Our Story

Inspired by Two Brave Little Bears

The Brave Little Bears Foundation was born from a journey of love, resilience, and relentless hope—guided by the lives of Cameron and James (Jay), twin boys who continue to show the world what’s possible when children with developmental disabilities are given the right support.

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Kristen and Kyle Everett welcomed their fraternal twin boys on May 21, 2020. At just four months old, they noticed Jay wasn’t reaching early developmental milestones. After pursuing evaluations and early intervention, Jay was eventually diagnosed with GRIN2B-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder, an ultra-rare genetic condition. In his case, it presents as intellectual disability and low muscle tone, in addition to some medical complications.

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As Jay’s diagnosis was being confirmed, Cameron began to show signs of regression. At 2 years and 9 months old, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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Filling the Gaps Insurance Leaves Behind

Like many families, the Everetts received support through their local early intervention program. But public and insurance-covered services only went so far.

 

To give their boys the best possible chance, Kristen and Kyle sought private therapies and specialized programs—services that have had a profound impact on their development and happiness, but come with significant out-of-pocket costs.

 

One powerful example: When doctors warned that Jay might never walk, Kristen and Kyle added private physical therapy to his routine (a specialized program called CME). After over a year of twice-weekly sessions—at a cost of approximately $10,000—Jay took his first independent steps at 3.5 years old. 

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From speech and feeding therapy to aquatherapy, hippotherapy, adaptive swim lessons, spending time in sensory-friendly spaces, and 1:1 aides for camps, sports, or simply everyday outings, the Everetts have spent thousands of dollars to ensure Cameron and Jay have the tools they need not just to grow—but to thrive.

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Turning Personal Experience Into Purpose

The Brave Little Bears Foundation was created to share that access and information with other families with children with developmental disabilities.

 

They founded the organization with a mission:
To fund private therapies and activities for children with developmental disabilities—so more kids can gain the skills, confidence, and joy they deserve. They envision a future where families with children who have developmental disabilities are better supported—financially and logistically—in accessing the therapies, care, and enriching experiences each child deserves. By removing barriers to both funding and information, they aim to create a world where parents can focus less on navigating complex systems and more on the simple, joyful moments of raising their children.

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As Kristen and Kyle continue to advocate for their boys, they’re also committed to sharing stories of hope and progress—amplifying the voices of families and showing the world the power of possibility through access.

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Help Us Make a Difference

Your donation helps provide therapy grants, program access, and the chance for children like Cameron and Jay to reach milestones that once felt out of reach.

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🎗️ Every child deserves the chance to thrive.
💛 Every family deserves the support to get them there.

👉 Donate Today and be part of a story that’s changing lives—one Brave Little Bear at a time.