Tate is a typically active and rambunctious three year old boy, but where most of his fellow toddlers suffer nothing more than damaged pride and a scraped knee when they take a tumble, Tate often suffers much more serious injuries. Tate has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI). More commonly known as “brittle bone disease”, this genetic disorder causes his body to either not produce enough collagen to keep his bones strong or to produce collagen that does not work effectively. This means a minor fall, or even something as innocent as having an arm or leg strike an object, can, and too often does, result in a bone fracture.

Donations to Tate’s family helped defray the high costs associated with his condition.

A word from Tate's Mom:

"Tatum Knick “Tate” is a very cute and funny three year old. His energy and personality is the type that immediately draws everyone to him. The strength and courage this kid has is unbelievable……Its what we call an unbreakable spirit……. Tate has been diagnosed with OI Type lV. 

We have already been through many broken bones and have had three infusions at Johns Hopkins and will be going for our fourth in April. Unfortunately, there is not a cure YET. I pray in his lifetime that will change. For now the infusions are really the only thing to attempt to strengthen him/our only significant option. 

Tate is very much into super heroes ...... especially spider man. So when we have to go to Hopkins for the infusion we tell him it's to strengthen his super hero powers." ~ Cassie Knick