- Date Of Birth: July 22, 2013
- Date Of Death: July 10, 2019
- State: Colorado
Truett Thurston Rosenlund, age 5, died in the arms of his parents with his sister beside him and his dog at his feet, on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. The cause was complications from an undiagnosed, neuromuscular disease.
Truett, affectionately known as TruBear and True, was born on July 22, 2013, in Englewood, Colorado. He lived in Castle Pines, Colorado. Truett attended preschool at New Hope Preschool in Castle Rock, Colorado, from which he graduated shortly before his passing. Truett was a rare disease advocate. Because of Truett, his family helped form the not-for-profit, Colorado Rare, in which Truett participated by meeting with lawmakers at the Colorado state capital to discuss issues affecting residents with rare and undiagnosed illness. Truett participated in photographs for many social media and twitter posts about rare disease. Truett was also a model for his medical supply company’s brochure. Truett participated in the annual Alice Cares for Kids Radiothon that benefits The Childrens Hospital of Colorado by sharing his story and participating in the fundraising events.
At a young age Truett lost the ability to move his limbs and to breathe. He lived the majority of his life at home, paralyzed from the neck down, and dependent upon a trach and ventilator to breathe. However, these medical setbacks did not stop Truett from living his best life. He traveled with his family to the East Coast of the United States and to Mexico on a Disney Cruise. Make-A-Wish Colorado made Truett’s dream of kissing a dolphin come true with a dolphin experience. That was the best day of Truett’s life. Truett enjoyed going to the movies with his family and friends, swinging on the playset and making art projects with his sister, and playdates with his best buddies, Paxton and Sidney.
Truett was very smart and witty. He was a young man of few words, but when he spoke it was either very important or made you laugh. He had a smile that would light up a room and he wasn’t afraid to use it with friends or when watching funny movies. Some of his favorite movies were Despicable Me 2, Incredibles 2, Cars 3 and the Lego Batman Movie. He also loved music and enjoyed music therapy. His favorite artist was Adele. His favorite colors were Green and Black.
Truett was a very loving and caring child. He always shared his candy, toys and temporary tattoos with others. He wanted to advocate for rare disease and children with complex medical issues, even when getting out in his wheelchair and moving around caused him pain. Truett hoped to become a doctor to help other medically complex children as he understood their challenges. One of Truett’s physicians made him an honorary doctor and Truett was thrilled when we called him “Doctor Truett” for days. Truett’s last gift to this world was donating tissue for research with the hope that no other child will endure this unknown disease.
Survivors include his parents Thurston and Priscilla (Zahner) Rosenlund and his sister, Savannah Rosenlund of Castle Pines, Colorado; grandparents, Gene and Karla (Stout) Rosenlund of Gilbert, Arizona; Lorin and Janet (Kahm) Fullmer of Nathrop, Colorado; and Joseph and Pamela (Cooper) Zahner of Melbourne, Florida. He is also survived by aunt Suzanna Zahner of Tampa, Florida; aunt Melissa Wolfe of Littleton, Colorado; and uncle Logan Rosenlund, of Gilbert, Arizona.
