Brandon says he dreams of growing up and helping people as a social worker or minister. In the meantime, his goals are more concrete.  "I dream about going back to Disney World," he says.

Brandon was born more than four months prematurely, weighing just 1 pound, 13 ounces.  He has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus; a condition that occurs when too much fluid builds up in the brain.  Over the years, he's undergone nearly 30 surgeries.  He has a surgically implanted shunt that helps drain excess fluid from his brain.  He also receives physical and occupational therapy at Gillette several times a week.

For years, his parents, Sheri and Jerome, drove nearly 140 miles each week to bring Brandon to his appointments.  Since Gillette opened the Burnsville Clinic, however, the family's weekly commute is much shorter. "When I heard that Gillette was coming to Burnsville, I got tears in my eyes," says Sheri.  "We love the Burnsville team, just like in St. Paul, they have a family approach to care.  And we love that Brandon can see his doctors and then go down the hall for therapy."

Brandon and his family visited Disney World a few years ago, and the experience made an impression.  "My first day there was the best day I've had in my whole life," he remembers.  "Everyone should get a chance to feel like that."

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