Being Hunter's Sister

Hunter's Heroes asked Hunter's sister Cheyenne if she would contribute to an article here. She readily agreed but didn't know what to write about. We suggested she write about being Hunter's sister... something no one has ever asked her before. The following is her original, unedited contribution. 

Cheyenne you are an amazing young woman! A great daughter! And a FANTASTIC sister! 


Honestly, no one has ever asked me “What it’s like to be Hunter’s sister.” It is a really loaded question that has never really crossed my mind. I guess I felt that every sibling would treat their brother the way I do Hunter. However, sitting back and thinking about it now – I only hope every brother-sister bond is as strong as the one between Hunter and I. 

Being almost six years old when Hunter was born, it did take me a while to realize that not every baby was born into the world this way and had to go through everything he was going through. For the first nine months after Hunter was born, my parents had to stay with Hunter most of the time in Indianapolis to make sure he was progressing. It was very scary for Braydon and I both, knowing we had a sibling but he could not come home. When he eventually did come home, he had a bunch of tubes and machines hooked up to him that were very overwhelming to a young girl. 

Growing up, my parents did not treat me any differently than the two boys. I understood that they had to be given more attention with Braydon having Autism and Hunter having multiple diagnoses on top of Cerebral Palsy. I was always helping. Even though I did not like what either of them had to go through, I learned to love being around all the medical equipment, issues, and in the environment. My parents still made sure I was happy and took me to all my softball tournaments. Hunter always wore a uniform and was our mascot, for every team I played on. 

It took me awhile to realize not every family functioned as mine did. Not everyone had a sibling in a wheelchair and a sibling who did not talk. However, I was never embarrassed. I loved both of my brothers. The only setback to me at the time was that I could not just have friends over like others. I always had to take into consideration what my parents had went through that particular day, how Hunter felt, did Braydon have a good day and did my parents have the energy to deal with another child before asking if anyone could come over. Not many children have to tune into these concepts when asking if friends could come over, and I did not realize it until I was older, but these factors is what made my family so close. We were so in tune with what each other was feeling or going through and knew how to be there for one another.

Being the oldest sibling, I have witnessed everything Hunter has gone through; every surgery, complications, nearly every appointment, and daily struggles. It has taken a toll on me the past few years as Hunter’s condition has worsened and I’ve been in college 1 ½ hours away. It really bothers me that I cannot always be there for him nor my parents like I always was growing up. Growing up, I was always took over responsibilities for my parents to give them a break. I never had to think about it, it just came natural. I enjoyed giving my parents a break, letting them sleep in for once, or just allowing them to breathe. However, as Hunter has gotten older – his conditions have worsened and more diagnoses have been made. This makes care for Hunter even more difficult and every day a long day.

However, there was a light at the end of the tunnel when Hunter began walking with a reverse walker and walking sticks. He finally had some normalcy and was so proud! It made transporting Hunter easier and gave him the independence he deserved. He even began walking without any assistance from the living room into the kitchen of our home. It was a huge milestone. Up until one year ago, Hunter was looking forward to so many more things with his newfound independence. When all of the sudden, one morning it was taken away. He could not crawl, walk, or bear weight on his legs. The entire family cried. Everything Hunter had worked for and our family had hoped for was no longer in sight. This was the hardest thing I have ever had to witness in my life. I had to be strong for my family, especially Hunter.

Hunter has been dealing with this pain now for over a year. He has his good days and bad. I wish every day that it could be me instead of him, because he is such a beautiful soul that does not deserve it. I would be lying if I said our faith has not been challenged over this past year. Some days it was hard to believe that this was happening to such an innocent child. However, I have learned to remind myself “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.” 

What kind of child continues to smile every single day even though he is continuously in pain and confined to a wheelchair? A miracle child, Hunter Lane. Truth be told, he is the strong one for the rest of us; even though we like to think we are strong for him. Every day is an adventure for my family. God gave us Hunter for a reason and I like to think that reason is to make our family strong- and strong we are! His journey has made our family so close and unbreakable. We are truly a one-of-a-kind family with one-of-a-kind experiences and a rare bond. I thank God every day for Hunter and my family. I would not change it for anything.