An Evening of Gratitude & the Power of Living in the Present Moment
Laird Murfey
Keynote Speaker
On the evening of Friday, April 9, 2021, around 170 guests from as far away as Miami gathered at The Bardot Event Space in the Crossroads. This group came together--with multiple precautions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19--to honor the legacy of a little boy, Carter Abbott, and look to the future possibilities that this one-of-a-kind nonprofit is creating. Additional guests tuned in online from Florida to California to participate in the evening’s program, silent auction, and giving opportunities. The event featured keynote speaker Laird Murfey, a remarkable 12-year-old writer, musician, athlete, and advocate, who has become quite accomplished despite the fact that Cerebral Palsy prevents him from walking or speaking without assistance. Laird even debuted an original song, written especially for the Gala. You can view Laird’s speech here, and enjoy his song, “We Pave the Way,” here.
The evening was hosted by Matt and Emily Abbott, Co-Founders of the Who Is Carter Foundation and Carter’s parents. Auctioneer Scott Jones led an exciting Live Auction and inspiring giving opportunities. By the end of the night, everyone gathered--in the room and online--celebrated the raising of over $215,000 to continue the work Who Is Carter is doing to support families of children with neurological conditions.
During one special moment of the Gala program, Emily shared this moving tribute:
One of the biggest lessons my son Carter taught me was the power of that intangible, powerful thing . . . gratitude. The power of living in the present moment. Of celebrating what’s happening right now, right in front of us.
If you were around him, there was this magic: Carter didn’t care about tomorrow or looking ahead. He lived in the beauty and possibility of the here and now. And he encouraged that in others, too, effortlessly...
Part of why we are here tonight is to ensure Carter’s lessons not only do not end, but that we can use them to lift up mothers and fathers and siblings and caregivers. To remind them of what we have to be grateful for, in the here and now. To encourage their eyes to see when things get cloudy.
Emily and Matt Abbott
The Foundation’s current project is a resource that Matt and Emily wish they had when they were first seeking treatment options for Carter, and one that lifts up those families that Carter’s legacy touches: a website that centralizes information on over 30 pediatric neurological conditions, and publishes articles on numerous complementary and alternative treatment options for those conditions. That website, thebrainpossible.com, has seen tremendous growth since it was established in 2017: It serves over 11,000 monthly users and now contains a catalog of products recommended for children’s health and development and a Practitioner Registry, where professionals of a variety of healing modalities can make their services available to the families who use the site. Last year, Who Is Carter launched The Brain Possible Podcast to accompany the website; it features inspirational stories of hope from families who have found success with various treatments, as well as interviews with leaders in the fields of nutrition and pediatric health and wellness--and, sometimes, at the intersection of the two.
In addition to funding the expansion of resources available through The Brain Possible’s website and podcast, the money raised on April 9 is also launching production on a documentary about exceptional children and families who are overcoming limitations, despite living with a special needs diagnosis. The Foundation has produced a short film about Laird Murfey as a preview of the documentary to come; it can be viewed online here.
You can take part in making the documentary: Visit laird.thebrainpossible.com to contribute to the pre-production phase of this life-changing film.
Carter Abbott, Laird Murfey, and Elizabeth Abbott