Bowden’s Buddies

10/06/2025

💚

Today, October 6, is World Cerebral Palsy Day! 🌎

is about recognition, inclusion, and action for the 50 million people worldwide that live with cerebral palsy. It’s a day to celebrate the achievements of the CP community, challenge barriers, and push for a more accessible, inclusive world.

Cerebral palsy is the most common lifelong physical disability, affecting a person's ability to walk, move, or communicate. It is caused by an injury to the developing brain, but every individual’s experience with cerebral palsy is unique. Every story is different, but our community stands together — .

Share your story and tag us is your posts/stories so we can show how diverse and expansive our community really is!

10/06/2025

Bowden and Jordan share their special day with Mr. 87 himself, Travis Kelce!
Bowden may be named after a football legend (Coach Bobby Bowden), but today Bowden & Jordan are repping another, #87.

And with Mama deep in her Swiftie era (album still on repeat, obviously), it’s safe to say the stars aligned. ❤️‍🔥

Happy Birthday to our favorite twins and our honorary triplet, Travis Kelce!

09/12/2025

Good news and tough news today 💚

Bowden had his very first eye appointment and we got the incredible news that there is no optic nerve damage from his stroke. We’ve been referred to CCVI (Children's Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI) for further testing to see how his eyes function day-to-day, as there is still concern for peripheral vision loss.

We also received a huge blessing. Bowden was awarded a $500 grant from the Rising Sun Grant to help with therapy. While this is such encouragement, his therapy costs are $360 per day out-of-pocket due to insurance denying coverage. Speaking of insurance we got news today that despite heartfelt and medical necessity letters of support from his doctors and therapists, BCBSKC has once again denied our appeal for continued therapeutic treatment. We now move to two other appeal processes.

We’re holding onto the wins, celebrating the blessings and continuing to fight for the care Bowden NEEDS.

Thank you for being in this with us. Please continue supporting us on this long fight.

09/06/2025

It’s a great day in this house!

Bowden took 11 consecutive steps all by himself today during physical therapy, no support just pure determination. Watching him beam with pride was the best part. 💚

And as if that wasn’t enough excitement, the Chiefs are back tonight! Safe to say we’ve got some very happy boys in this house. 🏈

08/30/2025

Bowden Lee got his name from Bobby Bowden, long-time Florida State Seminoles football coach. His late Uncle, Jason Lee Maxwell, always said if he had a boy he’d name him Bowden Lee.

Today kicks off Florida State’s first football game of the season at 2:30. We are sure Jason’s got the best seat in the house today. Front row in heaven with unlimited beer and no bad calls.

GO NOLES 🏈

08/29/2025

When people think about Cerebral Palsy, most picture movement challenges like wheelchairs, walkers or muscle tightness. What many don’t realize is how much CP can affect everyday things we often take for granted, like eating and drinking.

From the very beginning feeding has been one of Bowden’s biggest hurdles. Nursing was a challenge, bottles were a challenge, transitioning to puréed & solids was a challenge. Swallowing, chewing, drinking; each step took extra effort, therapy and endless trial and error. Something as simple as moving from a bottle to a cup became a very big deal.

For Bowden, milk had to come from a bottle. We tried every cup you can imagine (and then some). He needed those calories from milk for growth and strength, so quitting cold turkey wasn’t an option.

That’s why we’re celebrating this moment. 🍼

It’s been two weeks since Bowden said goodbye to the bottle. His First Steps Speech Therapist even noticed on Wednesday how much stronger he’s becoming with chewing and swallowing. A sign of progress we don’t take lightly.

Packing away the bottles was bittersweet. One more reminder of how far he’s come and how much behind-the-scenes work goes into the milestones we share.

💚 A little video of toddler brother wrestling to make you smile on this Friday!

08/27/2025

Bowden’s been battling another respiratory infection this week but thanks to our amazing Pediatrician he’s already on the mend.

Today he’s being seen by his rehab stroke Doctor. I like to consider him the “head doctor” for all Cerebral Palsy related things. He’s the one who makes sure Bowden’s orthotics fit properly, that he’s receiving the right type and amount of therapy and that all of his care is working together. He coordinates with Bowden’s Neurologist, Rheumatologist, Cardiologist, Orthopedist, Ophthalmologist and eventually his Gastroenterologist and Pulmonologist. In short, he’s a key piece of Bowden’s team and we’re so grateful for him.

Today’s appointment is all about pushing to get Bowden’s appeal approved. This is just one of many steps we’ve taken in the past week to make sure he continues receiving the care he needs and deserves.

Thankful for the individuals who have shared their knowledge on insurance, billing and services. As well as Bowden’s medical and therapy providers who continue to advocate alongside us for our guy.

📸 Bowden giving JJ hugs while waiting for the Pediatrician on Monday.
📸 Despite being under the weather, still working hard on standing without any assistance. Which Is huge step to walking independently.

08/22/2025

We just want to pause and say a huge thank you to every single person who has reached out over the past few days. Your advice, encouragement, messages of love and sharing names of people and places to call have meant the world to us.

When we started sharing about our fight with insurance, we honestly felt overwhelmed and a little alone. But this little community has shown us that we’re anything but alone. Every tip, every contact, every “you’ve got this” has reminded us why we started Bowden’s Buddies in the first place. To stand together for our Buddy.

We still have lots of work ahead in this battle but knowing we have such a strong circle around us makes all the difference. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of Bowden’s story and lifting him (and us) up.

08/20/2025

Right now, we’re in the middle of an insurance battle. Blue Cross Blue Shield has denied coverage for Bowden’s therapies (Physical, Occupational and Speech). The very treatments that help him learn new skills, prevent regression and keep building toward independence. Our insurance policy states that his disability does meet the criteria for plan of benefits.

For kids like Bowden, therapy isn’t “extra.” It’s essential. Without it, he risks losing hard-won progress and facing greater medical complications down the road.

We’re filing an appeal, working with his doctors and therapists and doing everything in our power to fight for what he needs. 💪

We know many of you have walked this road before. If you’ve ever gone through the appeals process, battled an insurance company or found tips and tricks that worked. We NEED to hear from you.

Your advice, resources and encouragement mean more than you know. Together, we can not only advocate for Bowden, but also shine a light on the bigger fight so many families face.

💚 Drop your wisdom in the comments or send us a message. Every bit of support helps fuel this fight for Bowden’s future.