HIE at Birth: A Dad's Story of Brain Injury, NICU Trauma, and Finding Purpose

Within minutes of arriving at the hospital, Brady and his wife were told their newborn daughter had suffered a severe brain injury.

In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital, Katie sits down with Brady Crandall, founder of Youth Crews, to share his family's journey following a diagnosis of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

What began as a routine pregnancy quickly turned into an emergency delivery, NICU stay, and a new reality as parents of a medically complex child.

Brady opens up about:

• The shock and uncertainty of those early days
• Navigating life as a "medical dad."
• The balance of grief and joy that often coexist
• How early intervention and community shaped their path

Through this experience, Brady recognized a gap many families face: a lack of dignified, age-appropriate products for children with disabilities.

That realization led to the creation of Youth Crews—a brand focused on comfort, dignity, and rethinking what medical products can look like for kids.

If you've ever found yourself wishing something existed to better support your child—or felt the pull to create change—this episode will leave you feeling seen, understood, and inspired.

This episode is sponsored by Gebauer PainEase®We extend our sincere gratitude to Gebauer PainEase® for supporting this episode. To learn more about this product, visit their website.

Resources & Ways to Connect

• Learn more about Youth Crews and their mission to create dignified products for kids with disabilities

• Follow Youth Crews on Instagram
  
  

Mentioned in This Episode

• Hope for HIE community
  
  

• Anchor Center for Blind Children (early intervention services)
  
  

• Driven by Purpose Podcast

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Disclaimer:
Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult your care team for guidance specific to your child.

Keywords:
hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, HIE baby story, NICU brain injury, medical dad perspective, parenting child with disabilities, pediatric brain injury journey, adaptive products for kids, inclusive design children, youth crews diapers, special needs parenting support, early intervention services, disability advocacy parenting, medically complex child parenting, child life support tools