Meet ASK Kid Orlando
For 13-year-old Orlando, a perfect day includes building LEGO sets, watching his favorite action movies, or walking his dog, Houdini. But no matter where his day takes him, Orlando’s big heart and willingness to help others always shine through.
In school, Orlando was always on the move, often playing multiple sports in a single season. When he wasn’t running up and down the basketball court, he was diving into the pool for swim practice. He loved the energy and excitement of basketball, while swimming offered him a chance to relax in the calming water.
After basketball practice one Sunday afternoon, Orlando came home complaining of a headache. His family assumed it was dehydration from the July heat, but over the next two weeks, his symptoms worsened. After a trip to the emergency room, a CT scan showed diffuse midline glioma (DMG), a rare brain tumor in the middle of the brain.
As treatment became part of everyday life, Orlando faced new challenges trying to stay connected to school and his classmates. That's when ASK's Education Support Navigator, Lisa Meares, stepped in to help him stay connected to his education.
In fifth grade, he shared with Lisa that many classmates didn’t know about his diagnosis. With the family’s support, Lisa visited his classroom to help his peers understand his experience and how to be supportive friends during treatment.
Orlando hugging family outside Orlando smiling outside
During the lesson, Orlando sat right where he was most comfortable—with his peers. But he never shied away from sharing about his own experience and how he was feeling.
When Orlando transitioned to middle school the following year, Lisa was there again, helping his new classmates understand his diagnosis and supporting him as he entered sixth grade.
Behind the scenes, Lisa also helped Orlando’s family. Between doctor’s appointments, treatment, school forms, and deadlines, his mom, Veronica, found herself juggling more than she ever expected. Lisa eased that burden by coordinating Orlando’s 504 plan, classroom accommodations, and homebound instruction, helping ensure nothing fell through the cracks.
“All I do is send [the school forms] to her, and she really stays on top of everything,” Veronica shared. “She’ll remind me [about] homebound renewal is coming up...and will check with the school if [she doesn’t] hear from them...She really takes that off my back, and that is great.”
Three years after his diagnosis, much about Orlando’s life has changed, but who he is inside remains the same.
“He has a very good heart. He loves to help others,” Veronica shared with pride. “He’s always doing anything that he can do that will help others.”
Despite his diagnosis, Orlando continued finding ways to help others. During a clinical trial, he agreed to additional blood draws that could help researchers learn more and potentially help other children facing cancer.
“If it is to help others, I’m good for it,” he says.
