Not even damaged decorations can dim the Christmas spirit on Adair Court in Colerain Township. The community is pulling together to give 2-year-old Brody Allen what his family expects to be his last Christmas.

Todd and Shilo Allen, Brody's parents, first learned Brody was sick in May. He developed a limp, and then woke up one morning with dizziness.

Initially thinking the dizziness was caused by an ear infection, the family was shocked to learn from doctors at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center that Brody had four embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes. Aggressive treatment for the rare brain cancer began immediately.

Despite the fact that he seemed to be getting better, he actually developed another tumor during treatment. It’s been five weeks since Brody’s parents were told they were out of treatment options.

"They told us he probably had two months," Todd said. "Even the doctors were shocked. They cried when they told us."

His parents vowed to live every moment with joy and to make the rest of his time as special as possible for him. “He has no idea how sick he is. He doesn't care. He just wants to have fun and enjoy every minute,” Todd said.

Christmas comes early

As he watched the joy his son showed at watching an old, black-and-white Rudolph video, an idea was born.

“Brody may not be here for Christmas; let's give him that Christmas now," Todd said. "Brody's 2. He doesn't know it's not Christmas."

So the family sent a note around to their neighbors in the cul-de-sac explaining that they were going to put up their Christmas lights in September for Brody. Shilo posted on Facebook and Craigslist, looking for Christmas decorations to put in the yard.

"We didn't want to upset anyone because there are other kids in the cul-de-sac and they might wonder why Santa was coming for Brody and not them," Todd said.

Great neighbors

He knew his neighbors, but he didn't see coming what happened.

Barbara Elliott, 74, has lived on Adair Court for 41 years. She said neighbors were not upset about early Christmas lights. "I told my husband, we need to put ours up."

"We all know the people who live in our cul-de-sac," she said. "I'm Jewish, the family next door came here from Mexico, we have black neighbors, Catholic neighbors. We all wanted to do something. It shows that we all care about the same things. We are all heartbroken when a baby gets sick."

Elliott wasn't the only house that put up decorations. Adair Court is decked with lights and inflatables. People they didn’t know started dropping off decorations at the Allen house. So many that some are in neighbors’ yards.

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch

This Christmas has a Grinch. Someone has vandalized the inflatables, slashing them with a knife. More than once.

"What's wrong with people?" Elliott asked. "Who kills Santa?"

Each time, neighbor Perry Mattan painstakingly sews them back together, gluing the seam. Santa and Frosty are still standing. Police and neighbors are keeping watch now.

Can't extinguish Christmas spirit

And Brody’s loving them. He no longer has the inexhaustible energy of a 2-year-old, and is losing the use of his left arm and left leg. But he still has a baby-toothed grin and his brown eyes sparkle as he takes in the lights.

The community – local and global – is on board.

Brody’s getting Christmas.

The holiday brings cards and he's loving that. Brody got about 60 one day, and they keep coming from local family, friends and neighbors as well as from other cities, states and countries, as his story spreads on social media.

"He gets so excited when he gets to open mail," Todd said. "He thinks opening mail is just the coolest thing."

Local radio stations have been playing Christmas carols for Brody. Carolers stopped by his house. He went Christmas shopping with the Colerain Police Department. The Bengals sent him a video.

And then, there's the parade

A Christmas parade with Brody as the grand marshal leading the way is planned for Sunday, Sept. 23, by A Greater Northbrook, a community organization.

The parade time has changed to 4 p.m. Sunday to accommodate Brody's medication schedule. It starts at Northgate Mall and travel east on Sprindgale Road. Parade participants gather at 3 p.m. in the parking lot between the cinema and Sears.

Santa will be on hand. Superheroes are coming, as are a number of parade units, carolers and all things Christmas. The parade ends at the Colerain Township Government Complex, where a Christmas party is planned. The event will end with Rozzi fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

"This started small, just a quick parade through the cul-de-sac," said Amanda Beckman, who's in charge of the parade for A Greater Northbrook. "But the family wanted it to be something other kids could enjoy. And a lot of people wanted to be involved. It just keeps getting bigger."

Allen family Christmas

Following the parade and community party, the family will celebrate Christmas Eve on Sept. 24, and Christmas Day on Sept. 25. They want to be left alone to do that. And on Sept. 26, Christmas will be over for the Allens. They are asking that no more Christmas items be sent and no more Christmas celebrations planned.

There are benefits planned, and a GoFund Me page set up. A Team Brody Facebook page keeps followers apprised of those plans.

Family is grateful

The Allen family is grateful for the support and grateful for the time they are spending with their son.

"This has been an awful blessing," Todd said. "We have the opportunity to say goodbye. Some parents don't get that chance."

And he's grateful for the support his family's getting in a terrible time of trial.

An Iraq war veteran, he's seen how bad the world can be.

"Now I am seeing the opposite, how good people can be to each other. I was completely unprepared for this, for the love we are getting from our neighbors, our community, the city, even from other parts of the country and other countries.

"It's amazing."

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