Elias has been battling stage 5 kidney failure since birth, a condition that has shaped every moment of his young life. Now, he is entering the second phase of his journey toward a kidney transplant—a procedure that promises not only a chance at survival but the possibility of truly thriving.
For Elias and the Fabian family, the wait for a transplant has felt endless. Every day brings anticipation, worry, and hope in equal measure. The family dreams of the day Elias will receive a new kidney, a moment that will mark a profound transformation in his life. A transplant will allow him to experience energy and vitality, keeping up with his siblings, exploring the world around him, and meeting milestones that every child deserves to reach. Basic needs—eating, drinking, and playing—will no longer be struggles to overcome but moments of joy.
Over the past 14 months, Elias has fought with extraordinary courage. His resilience in the face of daily challenges is nothing short of remarkable. Each medical intervention, each hospital visit, and each day of discomfort demonstrates the strength and determination of this incredible little boy. He continues to inspire his family and everyone who knows his story, showing that even in the most difficult circumstances, hope and courage endure.
October proved to be an especially tough month for Elias. He endured a six-week hospital admission, followed by three weeks of antibiotics delivered through his port, and returned home with two drains—one relieving pressure from his kidney, the other from his stomach. His medication was doubled, and his fluid intake increased, reflecting the intensity of the care required to stabilize his condition.
Despite these challenges, Elias has adapted remarkably well. Each day, he grows a little stronger, navigating his medical needs with surprising resilience for someone so young. His family has remained steadfast, providing unwavering love and care through every procedure, setback, and milestone. Their support has been crucial, allowing Elias to focus on his recovery and maintain his spirit even during the hardest moments.
Next Monday, Elias is scheduled to undergo a general anesthetic for an MRI and a dye CT scan. These critical tests will allow his medical team to develop a safe plan to remove his drains and, ultimately, prepare him for his transplant. The goal is to ensure that Elias can move freely and comfortably, reclaiming a sense of normalcy before the holiday season.
The transplant process itself is a carefully coordinated journey. Donor testing had been paused while Elias recovered from his recent setbacks, but the family is now working closely with Starship Hospital to resume the process. Every step brings them closer to the life-changing moment when Elias will receive a new kidney, a step toward a future filled with health, play, and growth.
The Fabian family’s journey is one of resilience, dedication, and unwavering hope. Each day, they manage not only the medical complexities of Elias’s care but also the emotional and logistical challenges of family life. They have shared that previous fundraising efforts have been a tremendous help, allowing the family of eight to focus on Elias’s recovery and medical needs. Continued support is essential as they navigate this next phase of care, providing the resources, comfort, and stability that Elias deserves.
Elias’s journey is also a story of adaptation and courage. Despite the drains, medications, and repeated hospital visits, he continues to be himself—a lively, determined, and brave little boy who inspires everyone around him. His ability to adjust to the demands of his condition is extraordinary, and each small victory—from eating comfortably to playing with his siblings—is a celebration of his strength.
Through every challenge, the Fabians have remained a unified front, advocating for Elias, providing comfort, and cherishing every moment they can spend together as a family. Their dedication highlights the essential role of parental love and perseverance in the life of a child facing a chronic, life-threatening condition.
The support of friends, family, and the wider community has been invaluable. Donations, messages of encouragement, and gestures of kindness have allowed the Fabians to focus on what matters most: Elias’s health, recovery, and quality of life. Each act of support helps bring them closer to the day when Elias can experience a life beyond survival—a life full of energy, play, and possibility.
Elias’s journey is far from over, but with the love of his family, the guidance of his medical team, and the support of a caring community, he is moving toward a future filled with hope. This transplant represents more than a medical procedure—it is a chance for Elias to live fully, thrive, and embrace the world with the joy and curiosity that every child deserves.
With each day that passes, Elias demonstrates resilience, bravery, and the enduring power of hope. The Fabian family continues to fight alongside him, ensuring that when the day comes for his transplant, Elias will have the chance to live the life he has fought so hard to reach. Their story is a reminder of the incredible strength of children, the devotion of parents, and the transformative power of love and community support.
The Owl Who Flew Again: A Highway Rescue That Touched Every Heart.238
The morning traffic on Idaho’s I-84 was its usual blur of headlights and motion — cars rushing, engines roaring, life moving too fast to notice the small, fragile things that sometimes fall in its path. But on that day, something unusual caught the eye of passing drivers.
There, stranded in the narrow median between lanes, sat a great horned owl — still, frightened, and tangled in a mess of plastic. The majestic bird, a symbol of wisdom and strength, was now helpless against something as ordinary as litter. Its talons were caught, its wings twisted in the plastic’s grip, and every attempt to move only tightened its invisible chains.
Calls began to pour into dispatch. One driver described it simply: “There’s an owl in trouble.”
When Idaho State Police Sgt. Brandalyn Crapo received the alert, she didn’t hesitate. Turning on her patrol lights, she made her way to the scene — her heart pounding as she approached the stretch of freeway where danger and compassion were about to meet.
The traffic roared past, just feet away, but the owl didn’t flinch. Its golden eyes, wide with fear, followed her every move. Crapo knelt slowly beside it, speaking softly, her voice steady against the rush of wind. “You’re okay,” she murmured, as if to reassure both of them.
The bird’s powerful talons were hopelessly knotted in a crumpled plastic bag — the kind that floats across highways every day, unnoticed. The irony wasn’t lost on her: something so small, so careless, had nearly claimed the life of something so magnificent.
To protect the owl, Sgt. Crapo parked her patrol car to block the lane closest to the median, creating a fragile bubble of safety amid the chaos of morning traffic. She radioed for help, and soon, a volunteer from
Animals in Distress, a local wildlife rescue group, arrived — gloves, cutters, and calm expertise in hand.
Together, under the low hum of passing cars, they worked patiently to free the creature. Every movement had to be gentle, every pull deliberate. The owl hissed and flared its wings, the instinct to fight still burning bright beneath the fear. But there was trust, too — the quiet recognition that these humans meant no harm.
Finally, after several tense minutes, the last loop of plastic came free.
For a heartbeat, the owl stood still, stunned by sudden freedom. Its chest rose and fell quickly, feathers trembling in the cold wind. Then, as if remembering what it was born to do, it spread its enormous wings — and lifted into the open sky.
The moment was pure magic. The bird soared above the freeway, catching the light of dawn on its wingtips, before disappearing toward the line of trees beyond the road. The sound of its wings faded, leaving behind only silence — and a few tears on the faces of those who had helped it fly again.
Sgt. Crapo watched until the owl was gone, a smile breaking through her relief. “It’s moments like this,” she later said, “that remind you what really matters.”
Photos shared by the Idaho State Police told the story better than words could — the owl sitting in the median, the rescuers working together, and finally, a smiling officer standing on the asphalt, watching freedom take flight.
It was more than a rescue. It was a reminder — of how fragile life can be, how easily beauty can be trapped by carelessness, and how powerful a single act of kindness can become.
In a world where news often feels heavy, this small moment on a busy freeway shone like a spark of hope. Two strangers, brought together by compassion, gave a wild soul a second chance.
Somewhere above Idaho’s farmlands, as dusk fell that evening, a great horned owl soared beneath the fading light — wings strong, heart free, guided by the same wind that once threatened to take everything away.
And for those who witnessed it, that image would never fade — a living symbol of what happens when humans choose empathy over indifference.
Because sometimes, saving a life doesn’t just change the rescued one.
It changes everyone who chooses to care.
