If we had taken a genetic test when my wife was pregnant with him, it would have shown he had an ultra rare chromosomal abnormality. One that could cause failure-to-thrive, growth problems. He might never talk, never walk, never leave home. It’s impossible to tell how it’ll affect him
His first night alive his heart stopped and his oxygen levels dropped. They told us he essentially died. We bought an oxygen monitor to go home with.
At the time we didn’t know he had any other issues. We wouldn’t know for nearly a year and a half.
When we did it took a while for it to set in that all the dreams and hopes we had for him were dead.
But he, he was alive. He was with us. He is still our wonderful boy, just now with extra struggles.
His immune system struggles more than the rest. At 6yrs old he’s the size of a 3yr old. He didn’t walk until he was 3-4. He’s only semi-verbal and still not potty trained. We’ve had him in every form of therapy available. Even a routine dental procedure requires anesthesia which local dentists won’t do due to his condition.
Those are his struggles. They’re real. They’re difficult.
If we’d done the testing back then, the doctor would likely have offered killing him in utero as the solution to his and our “problems.”
But his life doesn’t begin or end with his problems and struggles.
It begins with his life. His incredible, God-given life. His beautiful smile, his bubbling laugh, the way his crimson curls bounce as he runs around the yard after his little sister or his brother. It’s in his love for his siblings, and their love for him. It’s in his kind heart and thoughtfulness and desire to help with anything he can, even if it means he puts dishes in the trash by accident.
He’s my little buddy, follows me around like a shadow and his favorite thing is to snuggle up with me when I’m sitting on the couch playing a game.
He isn’t a burden on our lives. He’s not an inconvenience. He’s a blessing who enriches every single part of all of our lives
Every day I’m beyond grateful that God gave me my little boy.
I love this little man so much