'Joy and distraction'; family requests cards for Louisville toddler undergoing risky surgery

Reid was born with a rare birth defect that has impacted almost every part of his life. Now, he's scheduled for a major surgery, and his family is asking for help encouraging him during the tough recovery.

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Next month, a little boy from Louisville will go to Cincinnati for a surgery that will change his life. Two-year-old Reid Schweitzer was born with a rare birth defect that resulted in "complete tracheal rings".

His parents describe this as "extra cartilage completely wrapped around his windpipe, narrowing it severely". They say it impacts his breathing, eating and sleeping.

His uncle, David Durban, remembers when he first learned something was wrong with Reid. He said the baby was just three weeks old and rushed to Norton Children's Hospital in an ambulance because "he couldn't sleep, he couldn't eat, and no one could figure out what was wrong with him."

Fast forward a few years, Durbin says Reid is just like every other two-year-old boy, "he's a crazy little boy, just like any other normal boy, gives the best hugs, loves to be chased, and is really funny. We can't wait for him to feel normal too", Durbin said.

What comes next

Next month, Reid will undergo a major surgery called a "slide tracheoplasty with a cardiopulmonary bypass", his parents said on social media. They described the process, writing, "[doctors] will open his chest, cut his trachea in half, shorten it, widen it, and stitch it back together, all while he’s on a heart-lung bypass machine for 8 hours."

Reid is expected to be in the hospital for several weeks after his surgery, recovering and under close observation from the medical team.

Where do you come in?

The family is requesting love and encouragement in the form of cards for the little one to open after surgery.

"Imagine a little guy with bedhead and hospital socks opening up a pile of cards every day- it’s the kind of joy and distraction we’re hoping for", his parents posted on social media.

If you'd like to send a card, you can send it here:

Reid Schweitzer
PO Box # 129
Harrods Creek, KY 40027

They are hoping to have the cards before surgery, scheduled for September 17th, so they can take them to Cincinnati with them.

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