Meet Calvin

Calvin Clark Brezgel was born on April 6, 2012, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. From the moment he arrived, he changed the lives of everyone around him.

His dad, Dan, dreamed of naming him “Kal-El” after Superman. His mom, Deborah, wasn’t so sure about that idea… so they compromised on Calvin “Clark” – a quiet nod to Clark Kent. No one could have imagined how much their little boy would live up to that heroic name.

Calvin was born with an extraordinarily rare genetic disorder – so rare that it’s believed only about 40 people in the world have it. He is blind, deaf, and unable to eat by mouth, and he requires constant, complex medical care to survive.

Despite all of this, Calvin’s smile can light up a room, and his spirit has a way of pulling people together. Everyone who meets him comes away changed.

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A Rare Condition, and a Daily Fight

Life with Calvin is a 24/7 fight just to keep him stable.

He has endured countless seizures, relies on an oxygen tank and suction device to help him breathe, and takes multiple powerful medications every single day. His condition can shift from stable to critical in a moment, and he depends on regular visits with a long list of doctors, nurses, and specialists.

This level of care is emotionally, physically, and financially overwhelming. There is no “coasting” for Calvin’s family – every day requires planning, strength, and resilience just to get through.

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The Family Behind Calvin

Calvin’s parents, Dan and Deborah, are doing everything they can to give him the best life possible while also raising their two daughters.

They juggle:

• Work and side jobs

• Constant medical appointments

• Emergency hospital visits

• Endless paperwork and insurance hurdles

• And the simple, exhausting work of caring for a medically fragile child around the clock

Year after year, the financial pressure grows. There are always new medications, new repairs, and new crises that can’t be ignored – especially when the consequence of “waiting” might be Calvin’s health or safety.

The family has lived for years with the fear of losing their stability, their home, or the ability to keep up with Calvin’s needs.

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Why Caring for Calvin Exists

Caring for Calvin was created so this family wouldn’t have to carry this burden alone.

This is a grassroots, community-driven effort – not a large charity with staff or a big budget. A small group of volunteers (family and friends) run this website, organize fundraisers, manage social media, and keep supporters updated on Calvin’s journey.

We are not a nonprofit organization. That means:

• Donations are not tax-deductible,

• But every dollar goes directly to Calvin’s family to help with real, urgent needs.

There’s no corporate overhead, no salaries, and no outside organization taking a cut. It’s neighbors, friends, and strangers coming together to keep one family afloat.

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What Your Support Makes Possible

Over the past few years, support from people like you has made an enormous difference.

In 2023, thanks to the incredible generosity of donors and local community support, we raised over $16,000, which helped the family purchase a used wheelchair-accessible van for Calvin. New wheelchair vans often cost over $50,000 – far beyond what this family could ever afford.

That used van quickly became a lifeline for Calvin’s doctor visits and everyday outings with his family. But like everything in their life, it also needs constant attention – the ramp sometimes malfunctions, the tires need replacing, and repairs never seem to end.

Today, ongoing donations help the family with things like:

• Driveway and accessibility repairs

  • Their back driveway was installed too narrow and with a dangerous drop-off, making it nearly impossible to safely use the wheelchair ramp without risking Calvin’s chair tipping or someone getting hurt.

  • The front driveway is crumbling and steep, making winter even more hazardous – yet they often have no choice but to use it.

• Wheelchair van repairs and maintenance

  • Without a working van, Calvin simply cannot get to medical appointments or leave the house safely.

• Critical medical equipment and replacements

  • Items like specialized oxygen devices, suction machines, and other life-sustaining equipment wear out or malfunction and must be replaced – often faster than insurance will cover.

• Everyday essentials that are strained by medical costs

  • Utility bills, groceries, basic home repairs – all of these become harder to cover when so much of the family’s resources are consumed by Calvin’s care.

This is not a one-time emergency. It’s an ongoing reality. That’s why we continue running fundraisers and using the same GoFundMe page year after year, with clear notes about where each new “zero” point begins.

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An Ongoing Effort – Not Just One Fundraiser

This GoFundMe and this website represent an ongoing support system for Calvin and his family – not a single event. We host multiple fundraisers each year, partner with local businesses who donate raffle prizes, and invite the community to show up in person and online.

Each year:

• We update supporters on what’s been raised and what it made possible.

• We share new challenges the family is facing (like the dangerous driveway situation or equipment failures).

• We invite people to donate, attend events, give raffle prizes, and spread the word to others who might want to help.

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How You Can Help

Here are some of the ways you can step into Calvin’s story:

Donate
Make a one-time gift or set up a monthly donation through our GoFundMe page here. Recurring donations, even small ones, provide steady support that helps the family breathe a little easier.

Support Our Fundraisers
Join us at local events, buy raffle tickets, or participate in special campaigns. These events are not just about raising money – they’re about reminding the family that they’re not alone. Our fundraiser page is here.

Donate Prizes, Gifts, or Services
Local businesses and kind-hearted individuals donate items like gift certificates, products, and experiences that we use for raffles and silent auctions. These contributions help us raise far more than we could on our own.

Support While You Shop
If you already shop online for everyday items, this is a simple, no-extra-cost way to help. When you purchase through our affiliate links, Caring for Calvin may earn a small commission while you pay the same price. Visit our Support While You Shop page here.

Share Calvin’s Story
Tell your friends and family. Share the GoFundMe or CaringforCalvin.com on social media. The more people who know about Calvin, the more support we can gather for his family.

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Thank You for Caring for Calvin

There is still so much unknown about Calvin’s condition. Research is limited, and his future is uncertain. What is certain is that his family will continue to face overwhelming challenges – and that your support makes those challenges a little less heavy to carry.

From the bottom of their hearts, the Brezgel family and the volunteers behind Caring for Calvin thank you for being here, for reading, for sharing, and for giving in any way you can.

Your kindness isn’t just a donation. It’s a lifeline.

Together, we can keep lifting Calvin and his family up – one act of love at a time.