Grayson’s very excited to go cheer on @PackWomensBball tonight! pic.twitter.com/q70AKSDjFH

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) January 19, 2023

It's Feeding Tube Awareness Week! We are very thankful for this little tube that allows Grayson to get his nutrition and medicine directly into his stomach since he aspirates when he eats by mouth

Grayson is allowed to have small tastes of food by mouth, and since we transitioned to hospice, we are a little more relaxed on these rules since we are focused so much on quality of life. Feeding tubes are not an "easy button."

They can get pulled out, they pop, they get clogged and the machine seems to have a mind of its own and will alarm for seemingly no reason, but it's all worth it to make sure that he has a safe way to eat!

Grayson is allowed to have small tastes of food by mouth, and since we transitioned to hospice, we are a little more relaxed on these rules since we are focused so much on quality of life. Feeding tubes are not an “easy button.”

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) February 9, 2023

Grayson Steps Toward Independence

Meet Grayson! Grayson's family adopted him when he was born in 2011. He was experiencing some challenges with eating, so he spent about four weeks in the hospital before his family could bring him home.

"He was a tiny guy and didn't really grow very fast," says Dianne, Grayson's mom. "By his first birthday, he was starting to miss some significant developmental milestones."

At 13 months old, Grayson was admitted to the hospital again. He was having trouble breathing and had to be put on a ventilator. "He was a very sick little boy, but nobody could seem to figure out why," Dianne says. After several weeks in the hospital, Grayson finally started to show some improvement, so the doctors began to wean him off the ventilator. On the day they planned to remove the ventilator, Grayson's airway collapsed and his heart stopped. Thankfully, the Pediatric Intensive Care team went into action and got him back.

Grayson's family decided to move him to the UNC Children's Hospital so that he could receive more specialized care. Grayson had surgery a week after he was transferred. A few weeks after the surgery, Grayson's family was able to bring him home to continue his recovery.

Over the next several years, Grayson received different diagnoses including cerebral palsy, developmental delay, chronic respiratory failure, epilepsy and cyclic vomiting syndrome. He had an airway reconstruction surgery and numerous orthopedic surgeries to attempt to relieve his stiff muscles and joints.

In 2019, Grayson underwent a monumental orthopedic surgery for his hips. However, he was confronted with yet another obstacle the day after the surgery. He had another respiratory event that landed him back in the hospital on a ventilator. It took Grayson a while to improve, but he eventually returned home again with his family.

Grayson worked with his home health nurse and physical trainer to regain strength and get back on his feet. In 2020, he began using a gait trainer, an assistive device similar to a walker. He took his first steps without any assistance, something he couldn't do previously in several years!

"We have always said that quality of life is more important than quantity of life," Dianne says. Grayson's family believed that he deserved more independence when they were out and about, but the gait trainer was too big for their car. Grayson's family needed a smaller walker for shorter distances but the insurance company denied their request. Dianne decided to reach out to Easterseals UCP for assistance. Within days, the request was approved and Grayson received the walker!

"To allow Grayson the freedom to walk where he wants to gives us such joy," Dianne says. "We see where he wants to explore. We are forever thankful for Easterseals UCP and the newfound independence that Grayson has when we are out and about!"

Easterseals UCP is thrilled to see Grayson enjoying his new walker. Our assistive technology and resources help individuals living with disabilities live their best life. When all other funding has been exhausted or is unavailable, our special assistance assistive funding may be available to help.

https://eastersealsucp.com/grayson-steps-toward-independence/

Today is Rare Disease Day, a day to raise awareness for the more than 300 million people living with a rare disease, like Grayson. It is my honor to love someone rare! #RareDiseaseDay2023 pic.twitter.com/ur9mjbfXzD

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) February 28, 2023

It’s been a fun day!! pic.twitter.com/mx69Jc4nRS

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) March 25, 2023

All of Grayson’s ice cream dreams coming true at Beaches & Cream today! pic.twitter.com/Ah9zknZL8m

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) March 30, 2023

It’s race day! Go Grayson! @ainsleys_angels #halfmarathon pic.twitter.com/v57sOSkBxk

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) June 3, 2023

Grayson walked across the finish line! Go Grayson Go! pic.twitter.com/mZT1ZpsenZ

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) June 3, 2023

Today is a day that we will never forget. Grayson's friend
@wolfpacktom
, along with
@PackFootball
invited us out to spend some time at one of Grayson's favorite places. Grayson got to check out all of the facilities (and even got to sit at Coach's desk).

He also got to give the team high fives after practice. I've said it before, but the way that the NC State community has rallied around Grayson and our family is overwhelming and humbling. What an amazing day for our amazing kiddo! Go Pack!

He also got to give the team high fives after practice. I’ve said it before, but the way that the NC State community has rallied around Grayson and our family is overwhelming and humbling. What an amazing day for our amazing kiddo! Go Pack! pic.twitter.com/5kiynMtb5R

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) September 26, 2023

There is no family like the Wolfpack family. It’s bigger than sports. I feel like our family grew much larger today. @wolfpacktom we are so grateful for you and look forward to Grayson making more memories with you and the Pack! https://t.co/Pt4NcmjoHQ

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) September 27, 2023

Grayson is sending all of his good luck to @PackFootball and @StateCoachD today! Go Pack!! pic.twitter.com/URvn1kBaCX

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) September 29, 2023

G had quite the day yesterday and got to meet some @PackFootball legends @DrakeT32 @payton_wilson21 ! How awesome are these athletes!?

G had quite the day yesterday and got to meet some @PackFootball legends @DrakeT32 @payton_wilson21 ! How awesome are these athletes!? @SavageWolvesNIL @cdketchie pic.twitter.com/Bum4fayCaX

— tom livolsi (@wolfpacktom) October 8, 2023

I can’t stop thinking about yesterday. Grayson gained an Uncle and a bunch of big brothers in the past two weeks, and I can’t explain how thankful I am for this community of his. pic.twitter.com/cWm7OXxq1Q

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) October 9, 2023

I’d say Grayson is a fan of the new Howling Cow flavor @NCStateFair pic.twitter.com/onwyWpexKR

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) October 13, 2023

Yesterday we took a bunch of our athletes over to wish a SAVAGE Good Night before bed to one of our biggest fans!

Yesterday we took a bunch of our athletes over to wish a SAVAGE Good Night before bed to one of our biggest fans! ❤️ you Grayson! #SAVAGE pic.twitter.com/KZ5JXOk0v9

— SavageWolves (@SavageWolvesNIL) October 19, 2023

*The* Grayson is at the Savage Wolves fall event at Phillips Farms pic.twitter.com/oAbcjz9Ui3

— Jadyn Adams (@jwatsonfisher) October 21, 2023

We had the best time tailgating with Grayson today! Can’t wait to see him cheering on @PackSoftball soon!!! 🥰 @cdketchie

Thank you @SavageWolvesNIL & @wolfpacktom for having us out today. We enjoyed it 🐺

Always a great day when @PackFootball beats Clemson! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4JXw9P4tbm

— Carson Shaner (@carsonshaner_) October 29, 2023

Grayson Ketchie sat on his knees in his Garner home, wearing football-themed pajamas as bedtime neared. Excitement enveloped the 12-year-old as he looked out the screen door and saw a parade of N.C. State football players walking his way. Wolfpack players Kevin "KC" Concepcion, Brayden Narveson, Brennan Armstrong, Dylan McMahon, Dawson Jaramillo, Payton Wilson, Trent Pennix and MJ Morris filed through the Ketchies' door on Oct. 18. They sat down on the floor with Grayson. They played catch, let him wear their hats, and gave him piggyback rides. Laughter filled the air. Then, all eight players followed Grayson to his bedroom. They wished him goodnight. He returned the favor with hugs and smiles. "A lot of people come and watch our games on Saturdays. They come to our house, if you will," Jaramillo, a Wolfpack offensive lineman, said. "It was cool that we could have an opportunity to hang out in his environment, go to him and spend time with him and his family."

Dianne and Tim Ketchie adopted a "medically fragile" Grayson shortly after his birth. He spent three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit after delivery. He needed a tracheostomy a surgically created hole in his neck that allows him to breathe through a tube before his second birthday. He's non-verbal, lives with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and battles several other health concerns.

Grayson alternates between palliative and hospice care, his mother said. He no longer undergoes surgeries or gets poked by needles. They've seen all the specialists, exhausted available treatments. Now, Grayson can be a child, and embrace the unfiltered happiness that comes with it. "My hope is always that everybody who comes in contact with Grayson carries a little bit of him around with them," Dianne said through tears. "And, should a time come when Grayson's not here with us anymore, the thought is that his joy would continue to live on."

GRAYSON KETCHIE'S UNEXPECTED BEST FRIEND A photo of Grayson and Ms. Wuf sits on a small shelf inside the Ketchie home, just to the left of the front door. The two are on a park bench, holding up their arms and making a wolf with their fingers. There's also Ms. Wuf vinyl decal on his bedroom door. Grayson met N.C. State's furry mascot at a women's basketball game when Grayson was 3. He was fussy, so Dianne took him into the hallway for a moment of respite. That's where they met Ms. Wuf, who later joined the family at their seats, starting what would be a meaningful, albeit unlikely relationship. "It was an instant friendship. I really think it's because there is no pressure to talk, because she doesn't talk," Dianne said. "He just fell in love with her, and over the years the young ladies (who play Ms. Wuf) have become part of our family."

Despite Grayson's limited communication, he signed "more" at the end of that first basketball game. His parents went down the list of possible things he could want. He answered affirmatively when they mentioned Ms. Wuf.

Dianne contacted Ms. Wuf's team on social media. She's since spent time with Grayson at games, made hospital visits and come to their home. Ms. Wuf is an integral part of his life, supporting him on the bad days and celebrating with him on the good. She helped celebrate his adoption day anniversary this summer, attended his birthday party in the spring, and remembers their "friendiversary." Grayson took wobbly first steps in 2020, arms out for balance. He walked into the arms of Gus Camille, the former Ms. Wuf he'd met a decade ago.

It's an unexpected love story: pure, unconditional affection. "Did I envision that my child was going to pick a mascot to be his best friend? No, never," Dianne said with a laugh. "It is what it is."

PART OF THE PACK The wall by Grayson's bed could be defined as the most wholesome N.C. State collage. It features photos of the 12-year-old with athletes, stickers and a big Ms. Wuf decal, of course. He always says goodnight to them.

Grayson's friendship with the football team is relatively new. Dianne said she's been an N.C. State fan all of her life she put an N.C. State beanie on his 3-week-old head but the family doesn't have tickets. Instead, it typically takes Grayson to the pregame Walk of Champions and tailgates with friends. Savage Wolves NIL Co-Owner Tom Livolsi learned about Grayson's friendship with Ms. Wuf about three years ago. At the time, he wasn't involved with the program, and NCAA rules significantly limited what athletes could do without risking their eligibility. Still, he followed their story.

As NIL rules have more recently relaxed, Livolsi and the Wolfpack have enhanced Grayson's N.C. State experiences. The Ketchies received a tour of the Murphy Center last month. Grayson sat at head coach Dave Doeren's desk, played on the field at Carter-Finley Stadium, and got an impromptu meet-and-greet with the players and staff as they came out of practice. Every player acknowledged Grayson in some way, with many giving him hugs. Even when he put his head down in excitement, they waited to make eye contact with him.

Two weeks ago, Livolsi pushed Grayson's wheelchair onto the field, allowing him to join the pregame activities. Fans yelled, "Hey, Grayson!" from the stands as the 12-year-old smiled as big as he could and tried to touch everyone, and Wilson hosted him in the locker room post game.

Everyone got down on eye level and communicated with him not at him. Dianne said people often see children in a wheelchair and feel pity. The health struggles overshadow the person. But not with N.C. State. "It just means so much for somebody to see your child for who they are, not their disability or anything else, just embracing him for who he is," she said.

IT'S A WIN-WIN' Grayson sat on defensive lineman Noah Potter's lap at a Savage Wolves event recently, clapping with joy. He was decked out in his N.C. State jersey, sunglasses and Potter's hat, which he took off the player's head. The graduate student placed Grayson's too-small ball cap on his own. Name, image and likeness rules may conjure images of student-athletes getting paid to attend certain schools, create sponsored posts on social media or participate in commercials. But the relaxed NIL rules have also provided players opportunities to connect with fans, receive mentorship and perform charity work. Previous rules limited what could be done without risking a player's eligibility, so they erred on the side of caution, Narveson said.

"It's bigger than football," the kicker said. "At the end of the day, football gives us a platform to be able to impact people's lives in a positive way."


Jaramillo called it a positive externality, which is when a third party often society benefits from an individual situation. Players within the Wolfpack NIL collectives do receive payment, but they're required to fulfill certain obligations. Community work is one of them. Wilson said Livolsi deserves a lot of credit for seeking ways to utilize this new aspect of college athletics for outreach. Savage Wolves works with players on life skills, as well. "Before NIL, unless you worked on the team or in the facilities, you really didn't have access to the players, which was pretty messed up," Livolsi said. "What we're trying to do is set them up for life after football and build a network for them that they can fall back on one day when sports are over." The team's relationship with the Ketchies provides one positive outcome of the changing NIL landscape.

"I'm glad that we're taking advantage of it," Jaramillo said. "We are helping student athletes, and we're helping the community at the same time. It's a win-win."

'THERE ARE THE ATHLETES I WANT TO CHEER FOR' Everyone smiled when the eight N.C. State players packed into the Ketchie home. No one would've ever known the team was coming off a disappointing loss. For 30 minutes, football didn't matter. That's what being around Grayson can do. The Ketchies understand wins and losses are important, and no one likes to lose. But they also appreciate N.C. State using football as a conduit to impact lives beyond a game, to care about "the Graysons of the world." It's part of the program's DNA, Jaramillo said. Players are expected to impact the community positively, and they're excited for the opportunities. They responded within five minutes to Livolsi's text, asking if they wanted to visit Grayson during the bye week. "These are the athletes that I want to cheer for, I want to support, and I want to be successful," Dianne Ketchie said. "They are genuinely good human beings. Fifteen years from now, nobody's gonna remember if we won or lost a football game. They're gonna remember the impact that these people had on their lives."

The length of Grayson's life looms large in the back of Dianne's mind. No day is guaranteed for anyone, but that's especially true for the Ketchies. A cold, the flu or pneumonia could be the one thing he can't overcome, so everything they do is for Grayson. They balance risk and reward, seek the best life possible, and always hope for one more day.

"It is the greatest honor of my life, and the hardest thing," Dianne said. "To watch your kid have to go through all of the days in the hospital, all of the surgeries, and all of the tests and all of the days just not feeling well: It's hard as a mom. "Moms are supposed to be able to make things better. I can't fix these things for him, but I will always be there to remind him that he's brave, he's strong and sometimes life just isn't fair, but also that life isn't all medical stuff, either. It's important to have fun…His quality of life is far more important than the quantity of life."

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/article280937493.html#storylink=cpy

If you are a NC State fan, supporting @SavageWolvesNIL is the way that we can keep these men in our Wolfpack Family. Before NIL, G wouldn’t get to hang out with these guys. Because of NIL, he’s got these guys cheering for HIM after games. pic.twitter.com/2yWpxTc6rB

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 3, 2023

Thank you @AlimMcneill for stopping by to see Grayson tonight!! pic.twitter.com/xH1ecBmbiM

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 5, 2023

Grayson’s dream team! @wolfpacktom pic.twitter.com/lKCmCX6RRf

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 5, 2023

Nine years ago today, Grayson met Ms. Wuf and our lives would change forever in the best way. Thankful for this friendship that paved the way for all of the friends and family he has made over the past nine years. To the N.C. State community, we are so thankful for you! pic.twitter.com/hQdbWgE3Lw

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 7, 2023

Grayson has been asking to send videos to tell his Aunt and Uncle goodnight for the past several weeks. Tonight I was wishing he could speak, but then was reminded how much he communicates without speaking. I just know there’s lots of love in those videos from him! pic.twitter.com/RMLCwUjz0b

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 9, 2023

Celebration hugs with @WolfpackWes pic.twitter.com/I8FWaZxx1t

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 12, 2023

Every bead represents a surgery, poke with a needle, stay in the hospital, etc. A physical representation of everything he’s been through. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FCazvOwGlH

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 15, 2023

Grayson’s repping his friends @PackFootball at the Norfolk Harbor 5k this morning! pic.twitter.com/Ta1kaBUUfb

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 18, 2023

Grayson and I crossed the finish line of the 5k together! ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/4sOXTIeSEL

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 18, 2023

On his way to cheer on @PackFootball pic.twitter.com/fKDsh4v6MP

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 25, 2023

Pre game pep talk with @Emekaemezie pic.twitter.com/iNw8nbbm2v

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 25, 2023

Last night was so much fun for Grayson! Having these friendships wasn’t possible before NIL. Pack fans, donating to @SavageWolvesNIL helps to keep these men in Raleigh. I’m confident if you have questions, @wolfpacktom would be happy to answer them. https://t.co/os3qLRzAdU pic.twitter.com/Ahghbc1dKT

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 26, 2023

The Wolfpack Family is the best family. @thisweekretail saw my tweet about this wagon and sent Grayson one!! He loves it so much that he won't let me take him out! Forever grateful for how you all rally around Grayson in so many ways.

The Wolfpack Family is the best family. @thisweekretail saw my tweet about this wagon and sent Grayson one!! He loves it so much that he won’t let me take him out! Forever grateful for how you all rally around Grayson in so many ways. pic.twitter.com/WtXNDosbnC

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 29, 2023

How could we possibly pick just one favorite moment? pic.twitter.com/7MGuq6Ur5q

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 2, 2023

Hey Grayson, how do you feel about @PackFootball playing in Orlando? (Grayson’s two favorite things…NC State and Disney World!) Go Pack!! pic.twitter.com/m6b0R9AOG6

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 4, 2023

Grayson wanted to get in on the @PopTartsBowl action, but can only eat puréed foods, so he had his first Pop Tart today! I think he liked it based on the smile at the end! Looking forward to cheering on @PackFootball soon! pic.twitter.com/5muvyenrIP

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 7, 2023

Grayson is the coolest kid at Disney! pic.twitter.com/TSEqg7dxSm

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 15, 2023