New Comic Book Inspired by Local Boy’s Battle with the Flu

GRAND BLANC, MI – A new comic book derived from the experiences of a 10-year-old boy from Grand Blanc, who faced a tough fight against the flu, has just been released.

The book, titled “Kaden Blaze Fights Flu Bug,” narrates the journey of a superhero modeled after Kaden Stevenson, a fourth grader at Brendel Elementary School.

About three years ago, Kaden lost both his legs due to complications stemming from the flu.

“When I think about everything he’s endured, I honestly don’t know if I could be as strong as he is,” said Kaden’s mother, Michele Stevenson. “He just never gives up.”

On September 25, students at Brendel Elementary gathered to celebrate the launch of the comic, developed by Families Fighting Flu.

“Kaden’s story has profoundly influenced our students, teachers, staff, and parents,” stated Duane Engleman, the principal of Brendel Elementary. “Everyone is so impressed by his achievements, and we have faith that Kaden Blaze will continue to inspire others in the fight against vaccine-preventable illnesses.”

Kaden received a superhero’s welcome as he entered the school gym, greeted by cheers from fellow students.

“It’s really encouraging to hear about perseverance and to recognize that you can indeed conquer challenges if you set your mind to it,” Engleman shared.

Every student present received a free copy of the comic and learned about Kaden’s struggle with the flu.

“Kaden has been a superhero in our eyes from the very beginning,” remarked Michele Slafkosky, Executive Director of Families Fighting Flu. “His journey is incredibly inspiring, and he truly is one of a kind.”

In the story, Kaden Blaze harnesses superpowers to battle his nemesis, the Flu Bug, with help from classmates and teachers who rally to cheer him on, promoting “community immunity” to ward off the bug.

The narrative emphasizes the significance of flu vaccinations; Kaden didn’t get vaccinated before contracting the flu, a decision his mother regrets deeply.

“I failed to have Kaden vaccinated that year, but I was completely unaware of how severe the illness could be,” Michele reflected. “Now, we ensure we get our flu shots annually and we tell Kaden’s story so that other families don’t have to go through what we did.”

During the event, the Flu Bug came to life in the gym, but Kaden quickly leaped into action, swinging inflatable bats to chase it off.

This display of bravery earned him more cheers from his classmates.

“It was a proud mama moment for me, seeing my son achieve his dreams,” Michele said, reminiscing about the day.

Before Christmas of 2022, Michele noticed Kaden’s energy dropping. After monitoring his condition for four days, she decided to take him to a local hospital.

Kaden complained of pain in his right leg, and after arriving at the hospital, he was instantly airlifted to a children’s hospital in Grand Rapids.

At the hospital, he was diagnosed with influenza A and Streptococcus.

Kaden also contracted a blood infection, leading to toxic shock syndrome, which caused his organs to start shutting down.

“The initial weeks of his illness were the most terrifying experience of my life,” Michele admitted.

Due to this infection, Kaden underwent amputations of both legs; his right leg above the knee and his left leg below the knee.

Following the surgeries, Kaden spent roughly nine weeks in hospital care and rehabilitation, with additional surgeries anticipated.

While recovering, Kaden learned about a five-year-old boy who also had the flu and passed away. He expressed his determination to survive for him.

“He’s shown such resilience, much more than I would have,” said Kaden’s grandmother, Teresa Stevenson. “Watching him grow has been a whirlwind of emotions.”

Families Fighting Flu is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the flu, with members across the U.S., including co-founder Zach Yaksich from West Bloomfield. Tragically, Yaksich’s daughter Alana passed away from flu complications in 2003 when she was just five.

“We’ve seen this organization expand, sadly, due to ongoing tragedies, but our mission is vital,” Yaksich noted.

The organization focuses on protecting children and communities from the flu through advocacy, education, and vaccination efforts.

“It’s becoming increasingly crucial, especially with all the misinformation causing fear,” Yaksich added.

To find out more about Families Fighting Flu or to buy “Kaden Blaze Fights Flu Bug,” just visit their website.

All proceeds from the book are directed to the organization.