Palisade parents Brandon and Kasey Dixon are urging families in the Grand Valley to persistently advocate for their children's health needs, sharing their experience securing a diagnosis for their two-year-old son, Mason. After repeated medical dismissals, Mason was diagnosed with a rare birth defect, pyriform aperture stenosis, which causes a narrowing of his nasal airway and makes breathing difficult. His parents emphasize that families know their children best and should push for answers when something feels wrong.
From the time Mason Dixon was born, his parents noticed issues with his breathing. Brandon and Kasey Dixon took their son to numerous doctor visits, but his symptoms were often dismissed as common illnesses like a cold or the flu. Brandon Dixon recalled being at his doctor’s office weekly, if not multiple times a week, during Mason’s early life. He stated they repeatedly told medical staff that their son was not sick, but simply could not breathe. Despite their concerns about Mason's low oxygen levels, his parents were informed the situation was 'not that serious,' according to Brandon Dixon. The Dixons, however, believed it was more serious and continued to seek answers for their son.
Through what his parents describe as relentless advocacy, Mason eventually saw a specialist who accurately diagnosed him with pyriform aperture stenosis. This specific birth defect is rare, affecting an estimated one in every 25,000 live births. Now at two years old, Mason has endured a medical coma and more than 20 surgeries. He has three additional procedures already scheduled and must wear an oxygen concentrator while he sleeps to assist his breathing.
Despite these significant medical challenges, Brandon and Kasey Dixon describe their son as a happy and courageous boy. Brandon Dixon noted Mason’s love for cooking, fishing, helping others, and learning new things. He also loves riding in his car, and attending car shows and monster trucks. Brandon Dixon shared that Mason struggles but wants to be the wild boy he knows he can be. The Dixons hope that as Mason gets older, he will be able to enjoy these passions without the constant need for doctors, specialists, and surgeries, stating they will continue to fight for their son.
The Dixons’ journey has led them to encourage other parents in the Grand Valley to learn from their experience and speak up. Brandon Dixon directly advised other families, 'If you know something’s wrong, speak up. Fight for it.' He urged parents not to wait for doctors to tell them when it’s time for advanced care, but to advocate proactively and ensure their children are taken care of from day one. The parents also implored physicians to take worried parents seriously, recognizing that parents live with their children every day and possess unique insights into their well-being.
Many of Mason Dixon’s specialists and required surgeries are not available on the Western Slope, meaning the family frequently travels hundreds of miles from their Palisade home for Mason’s medical care. This travel often requires Brandon and Kasey Dixon to take extensive time off work. The family, which also includes Mason’s 10-year-old sister, Gypsy, has received assistance with lodging from a Ronald McDonald charity house during these trips. For those in the community interested in supporting the Dixon family, monetary donations can be made.