Welcome to the Smiles Family

Nick's Story

NickBack in the 'innocent' days, we thought bad things happened to other families, to other kids. We thought that disabilities were tragic, but that kids with disabilities hold 'normal' children back. We thought that Cancer, while very sad, rarely happened to kids - and when it did, St. Jude's Cancer Hospital spent enough money to cure them. What I refer to as innocent days, we now know were ignorant days. The life of a little 4-year old boy showed us the way…

Nicholas came into our life on June 21, 2002 – nearly Nine Weeks Premature. His lungs were not fully developed, and he needed a respirator to help him breathe. His skin and organs were still developing. His blood vessels were not ready for life outside the womb – but there he was.

During Nicholas’ 28 day stay in the hospital, he had multiple complications – from Apnea to PDA (blood backing up into his lungs) to RDS (respiratory distress), but he came home to a happy, healthy home – much like your home or your friends home. (No reason was ever given for the early pregnancy.) Full Story



About the Foundation

The Smiles from Nicholas Foundation was started in remembrance of Nicholas Rydzynski, and his struggles with Cerebral Palsy and Pediatric Cancer. In his 4 short years, Nicholas endured so much, but endured with dignity, grace, courage and persistence that any would envy. His struggle ended on September 11th, 2006, after a 4 year struggle with Cerebral Palsy, and a 10 month battle with Neuroblastoma (Pediatric Cancer).