Oliver Quinn Shattles-Moore

April 4, 2011 - July 18, 2017

Oliver’s life is a story of medical complication, resilience, and unwavering love of life and his family (and Mickey Mouse). Olie suffered from a variety of medical complications in his short life, including Phelan-McDermid Syndrome and leukemia - yet somehow he always maintained the most amazing personality and infectious smile - as he managed to squeeze a lifetime of love into 6 years. Olie’s perseverance inspired joy and hope in all who knew him.

The life of the parents of medically fragile children cannot be summarized easily. They accomplish monumental feats to keep their children healthy and happy - negotiating with insurance companies, applying for and maintaining access to social services, coordinating medical care from multiple specialists and therapists, and trying to help healthy siblings understand these needs are just a few of the challenges Ashley and I faced as Oliver’s parents, and many more of our dear friends still face. Success in overcoming these obstacles is met not with reprieve, but with more challenges and responsibilities, as the complexity of their child’s condition progresses (which is often the case). But no victory parade can hold a candle to seeing Oliver’s divine smile and helping him achieve a fulfilling life. As a prior Naval Officer, who committed the first half of his career to public service, I feel comfortable saying that there is no nobler a cause than fighting for children like Oliver, who cannot fight for themselves.

In April of 2017 Children's Healthcare of Atlanta created the Medically Complex Care Program, specifically for kids like Oliver. In a matter of weeks we went from having to micro-manage Oliver’s medical care, to having it managed for us. We went from having to make sure all of Oliver’s sub-specialists were engaged in his plan of care during an emergency room visit, to having a doctor determine which needed to be consulted immediately, and which could wait.

The benefits that from this newly formed clinic were two-fold (at least). First, the relief from knowing that we had a single point of contact for all of Oliver’s medical care cannot be described. Having to make one phone call instead of six was such a relief. Secondly, we feel confident saying that the Medically Complex Care Program prevented at least three overnight hospitalizations for Oliver. Previously, coordinating across specialties was not always possible, and Oliver’s care providers had to take a more conservative approach. This meant more time that we were able to spend with Oliver at home during his last days - the priceless gift of time spent with those that loved him most, in the place he loved the most.

While Oliver is no longer with us, our commitment to the success Medically Complex Care Program is stronger than ever. Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta has published naming opportunities for their new Center for Advanced Pediatrics - the future home of the Medically Complex Care Clinic, and we have our sights set on a Plan of Care Conference Room to be named for Oliver. The donation required to reserve this room is $100,000 - we are almost halfway there with a year and a half left in our fundraising period. As Oliver's parents, we are personally donating $10,000 to this cause. Most importantly, funds from this effort will be put to work immediately to help grow the program. Ashley and I are and will continue to be personally vested in the creation of this clinic. Ashley served as a patient & family advocate on the founding committee, and continues to serve on the clinic’s family advisory board, and Oliver is one of the key cases for which this facility was founded.

The only way this program continues and grows is with philanthropy. You can have a direct impact and change the lives of families like ours supporting Olie’s legacy of unconditional love, gratitude for life, and happiness in the face of adversity. We would love for this conference room to be part of that legacy, and his tribute.

Please visit this youtube video produced by CHOA to learn more about Oliver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMXSX6abhTA&t=83s

Thank you!

Chris, Ashley & Owen