[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 146 (Wednesday, December 3, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING CHRISTOPHER CARSWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 3, 2014

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to honor 
Christopher Carswell, an inspirational young man who has faced numerous 
medical struggles with grace and poise and has used his experiences as 
motivation to start his own non-profit organization, 1Boy4Change, when 
he was only 13 years old. Today, he is 16 and has a story that we all 
could learn a lesson from.
   Throughout his decade and a half of life, Chris has suffered a 
tonsil adenoid surgery that resulted in the need for a feeding tube, 
multiple hand reconstructive surgeries, as well as a connective tissue 
disorder that put him in a wheelchair for a time. Then, he started 
having seizures that put him into respiratory/cardiac arrest as well as 
a stroke which robbed him of the right half of his field of vision. But 
through this long list of challenges, Chris has remained an upbeat 
person and has dedicated himself to the service of others.
   In 2010, Chris was matched up with Bronx, a service dog who became 
his constant companion, ensuring he would never face what life threw at 
him alone. Shortly after that, he started 1Boy4Change, with the mission 
of raising awareness and providing support for individuals and families 
with disabilities. In the early days of the organization, Chris helped 
match up 70 service dogs to veterans and children.
   Since then, he has expanded his mission to support others who have 
also chosen to live a life of service: our soldiers and police 
officers. In that capacity, Chris has started programs meant to help 
out K9 units by providing them comprehensive first aid kits as well as 
car heat alarms that can save the lives of dogs that are left in patrol 
cars.
   Chris is to undergo brain surgery in January, and his doctors are 
hopeful that the procedure will stop his seizures. I hope all of my 
colleagues in the House will join with me as we wish Chris a successful 
operation and a speedy recovery so he can come back and continue the 
good work he's doing.

                          ____________________