Please note that this story is about child loss. Please read with care.
Lincoln lived his life with joy and a big heart. He always had a smile on his face and treated everyone like they were his best friend. Lincoln played baseball, loved sports, school, and going to camp. He loved birthdays and made a point to wish people a happy birthday whenever he saw them. And, Lincoln really loved his dog, Coco.
Lincoln lived with Dravet Syndrome, a rare condition that causes seizures and learning delays. From his first seizure at just three months old, Lincoln and his parents, Traci and Brian, faced numerous challenges, including PICU stays, nocturnal seizures, and participation in clinical trials. But Lincoln never let his condition get him down. He was full of life and love, from the day he was born until his passing in August 2024.
Traci and Brian remember how much Lincoln loved making friends. As a social kid, being an only child was sometimes lonely for him, but he always connected deeply with dogs. When Lincoln was young, they had a family dog they all loved dearly. After its passing, Traci and Brian knew they would get another dog, and this time, it would belong to Lincoln.
Finding a New Friend
While looking for the perfect companion, they discovered the Stink Bug Project. Not only could our program help find a dog for Lincoln, but we would make sure it was trained to be a loving companion for a child facing medical challenges. Our team quickly found a dog we knew would be a perfect match. We collaborated with the Colorado Correctional Industries (CCI) K9 training program to ensure the dog could play fetch—Lincoln’s favorite.
When the family met the pup, it was love at first sight. They named her Coco, and a new friendship began.
“When we brought her home, Lincoln asked, ‘Will Coco stay?’ and I said, ‘Yes! She’s going to stay forever,’” Traci shared. “She is such a great dog. From the start, she was there for Lincoln.”
Coco stood by Lincoln during some of the most difficult times in his treatment. He attended therapies four times a week and didn’t always have time to play with friends—but Coco was always there when he needed a buddy. Her companionship made a world of difference.
Now, Coco continues to support the family in a new way. She is a symbol of Lincoln’s love and brings comfort to Traci and Brian as they navigate the grief of losing their child.
“Coco has been an amazing dog, and we are so glad to have her,” Traci said. “She is a big reminder of Lincoln.”
Navigating Loss Together
While no parent plans to lose a child, Lincoln’s passing was particularly unexpected. Thanks to promising results from clinical trials, Traci and Brian lived with great hope for their son. They made sure Lincoln lived fully. They took him everywhere, encouraging his love of sports, and giving him the best childhood possible. In the month before he passed, Lincoln experienced the fewest seizures he had ever had.
The days following his passing were incredibly difficult. While navigating their own grief, they also had to share the news with family, friends, and even grocery store workers—many of whom had received hugs from Lincoln over the years. Amid their sorrow, Traci and Brian heard story after story from people whose lives Lincoln touched in small but meaningful ways.
“It’s hard to put into words the impact Lincoln had in just 10 years,” Traci said. “One of his teachers told us, ‘If everyone lived like Lincoln, the world would be a better place.’”
Traci and Brian are now dedicated to keeping Lincoln’s legacy and love for life alive. They’re inspired by how many people are choosing to “Live Like Lincoln.” His celebration of life was attended by 600 people from the Colorado Rockies community, where Traci works. Sports teams and camps wore butterflies (the symbol of Dravet Syndrome), the color purple, and shirts bearing the phrase Live Like Lincoln. His classmates took a photo of him on field trips and created a mural at school celebrating all the ways they want to live like him.
RMCHF honors bereaved families like Lincoln’s—making space for them to share their stories and say their children’s names. We honor their sorrow, remember their children, and hold space for their grief.
For Traci and Brian, it’s simple. They want the world to remember Lincoln—and to share his love of life.
“We just want people to remember how amazing he was,” they said.
