Dylan “Pickles” came into the world on September 16, 2012, and from the beginning, he has been exactly who he is: radiant and impossible not to love. The nickname Pickles started in the NICU as Dyl Pickle, and over the years it stuck. Not just at home, but everywhere. He is Pickles, and it fits him perfectly.
Dylan is silly, loving, a little moody at times, but full of hope, joy, friendliness, and the unexpected. When he is truly happy, his whole body shows it. His hands shake back and forth and his face lights up with the biggest, goofiest grin you’ve ever seen. It’s the kind of joy you don’t just see; you feel it too. And when he’s frustrated, he lets you know that too with a pout, a stomp, or a little grumble, because Dylan feels everything deeply and notices everything.
In his early years, Dylan faced significant medical challenges and spent more time in hospitals than any child should. As he has grown, one of his biggest struggles has been communication, which makes it hard for him to express himself. This has also been the hardest part for his mom, Toni. She knows how much he understands and how much he wants to connect, but the world doesn’t always meet him where he is. And yet, Dylan always rises. He communicates through words, gestures, pointing, and by leading you where he wants you to go. He will tell you “yes,” “no,” “good,” and one of his favorites, “love you too.”
Sometimes, the most powerful moments are the quiet ones – watching him move through the world without hesitation, serving smiles on the school coffee cart, jumping into the pool without looking back, and trusting himself. Dylan has a way of bringing people in and making them feel better. He creates connection without even trying. He loves swimming, dancing, playing with other kids, and spending time on Roblox. Take him somewhere with toys, Target, the state fair, or anywhere he can explore, and he’s in his element. He even earns gold medals at every Special Olympics swim meet.
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