The Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust: hope after tragedy

By: Philia Pak
Experea Healthcare Blog Editor

Every story – whether it be a story of loss or gain, deserves to be shared.

This is the story of the Berry Children.

Photo via Joshua and Robin Berry Children's Trust/Facebook

I first came across the Berry Children’s story when I noticed a flood of profile picture changes take over my Facebook newsfeed. Almost instantaneously, people were sporting a graphic of four hearts as their profile picture, with the caption ‘show your hearts.’ Fueled by curiosity, I clicked around on the images and eventually I was linked to an article about the tragedy that led the Berry Children to where they are today.

The article, “Berry Children Orphaned: Justin Bieber Spurs Nationwide Movement”,  left me speechless. The Berry Family, a fun-loving family of 5 from Texas were driving back from a family vacation when their minivan was struck, killing both the parents and leaving the children in critical condition.

The two boys, Peter, 9, and Aaron, 8, have been treated for multiple spinal cord injuries and have been told they may never walk again. Their younger sister, Willa, 6, broke her arm, ankle, knee and wrist in the crash.

It is hard not to have an aching heart after hearing this story, but what is truly fascinating and incredible is the reaction of the nation to their story. Celebrities like Justin Beiber, Kourtney Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry have used their public power by tweeting to their followers to donate and spread the word about the Berry Children to #showyourhearts.

Today, Peter and Aaron are still on the road to recovery as they deal with a spinal cord injury—a struggle that millions of Americans deal with, including those in the Experea Healthcare community.

“You get inspiration from them,” says Matthew Berry, the uncle of the children and now their legal guardian, “These kids smile when somebody asks to take their picture. Can you imagine being in these kids’ shoes? It’s pretty incredible how they’re dealing with it.”

Do you want to show your heart and help support the Berry children? Donate to their Trust so they can have access to all the medical supplies and equipment they will need to treat their spinal injuries.