Owner of Honor Cafe starts nonprofit, plans fundraiser for child with muscular dystrophy

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Chris Sadler has enjoyed success these past few years as owner of Honor Cafe, a local dinery that supports veterans and the general community with its meals and services. Sadler’s most recent endeavor is the formation of Honor Up, a nonprofit organization that provides physical and spiritual nourishment to veterans, assists veterans to identify and increase their potential, provides financial grants and scholarships to veterans and their families, and brings national awareness and solutions to veteran domestic issues.

Honor Up is kicking off its mission with a fundraising event, ‘Honor Up for the Bell Family,’ taking place on July 15 starting at 5:00 p.m. at Honor Cafe.

“Help Brody battle Duchenne, a rare and challenging form of Muscular Dystrophy,” said Sadler. “Honor Up and Conroe City Councilman Howard Wood invite you to join us for dinner and a live and silent auction at our cafe.”

Brodie is the son of SFC Michael Bell, two-time combat veteran, US Army Recruiter at the Conroe recruiting station. Michael and his wife Sarah are the proud parents of Brodie and Lily. At age 3, Brodie was diagnosed with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy, called Duchenne.

“Brodie was always a happy and active baby and toddler, but we noticed his motor skills were not at the same level as his peers,” said Sarah. “He was put in a specialty pre-K program where the physical therapist saw him display ‘Gowers Sign’ upon getting up from standing. She had us schedule an appointment at Scottish Rite to get him checked out. Our hope was that it was just an orthopedic issue that could be corrected, but after many tests he was diagnosed with Duchenne. It was devastating and scary.”

The family was referred to Children’s Medical Center Dallas, where they learned more about Brodie’s diagnosis and what his life would look like. They were informed that he would be in a wheelchair by 6, and that most boys don't survive from the condition past the age of 12.

“By the grace of God, he stayed ambulatory until the age of 13,” said Sarah. “He had many friends and was active in Boy Scouts. We did have moments of heartbreak when he would get sad and get frustrated with his body. It was hard for him to watch other kids do the things his body couldn’t physically do, but he kept his sunny disposition.”

The weekend before Brodie’s 13th birthday, the entire family got COVID, and a household injury that normally would be considered minor and forgettable instead ended up being incredibly painful. Brodie became permanently wheelchair-bound after that moment. The average cost of caring for someone with DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) out of pocket is approximately $40,000 per year.

“We had been slowly preparing for the eventual electric wheelchair, home renovations to accommodate a handicapable child, a potential car, among many other things,” said Sarah. “We were not prepared to be suddenly thrown into this. Mike and I have a side business to help offset costs, and our insurance covers basic needs. But what Brodie really wants is independence. His doctors have hope that we could get him walking again with therapy and an electric wheelchair that has stand assist. The wheelchair we want would also allow him to be able to work. It would also help us because he could transfer himself. The constant transferring to and from his bed, into a tub to shower, and onto the couch so he can relax with us has taken an enormous toll on our own bodies. This is especially the case with Mike, due to his two deployments as well as knee surgery from a ruptured patellar tendon.”

Brodie’s story reached – and touched – Chris Sadler and Janeen McSwain, Director of Honor Up, who both promptly put together the fundraising event to help the Bell family take care of Brodie.

“We will have a great meal, silent and live auctions, and fellowship as we show the Bell Family what it means to ‘honor up,” said McSwain. “Additionally, Auction donations and items are humbly requested and appreciated.”

Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/179693534862520/.

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