Monday, January 5, 2009

We are still here...

So I know I haven't posted in 2 months, but I honestly have good reasons...which I will post about later! Just for now, I wanted to get this post on here quickly about my friend's baby boy. Baby Dakin is just 5 days younger than Jack, and I thank Heavenly Father that our little boy is healthy and strong. I don't think that I could have carried the load that my friend has carried. Dakin is a sweet, happy boy, and a blessing to his family and those who know him. His first 2 months were normal and we were all unsuspecting of any problems other than reflux. Well, things changed. I took them to the Doctor that fateful day, when they ended up being lifeflighted to Dallas. I spent most of that night holding my son and crying. Tears of gratitude for my son, and tears of guilt, because I have a perfectly healthy baby boy, and my friend does not. I prayed a lot that night (and many others), thanking the Lord for my son and his health, and praying for little Dakin and his parents. Dakin spent 2 1/2 months in the hospital and when they finally sent him home (on a ventilator) his parents were told that whatever he had he would grow out of. Then a few months later, they finally got a diagnosis. SMARD, a very rare form of it. He was the 4th ever to be diagnosed. He will not grow out of it. He will most likely be wheelchair bound and he will be on a vent for his entire life...they aren't sure how long that will be. There is currently a petition online that you can sign to help get legislature to pass a measure that would allow research to be done on this disease. Please take a moment to read my friends blog and click on the link there that lets you sign the petition. If all I can do to help is sign my name and urge you to sign yours, then at least I can do that. Go here to read about Dakin and sign the petition...PLEASE! Every child deserves a fighting chance.
P.S. If the link doesn't work for you (because I can't figure out why it won't work for me), just go to www.ventsuperman.blogspot.com

4 comments:

Devon said...

Hi! That's so beautiful, thank you, Heather. I really appreciate you helping us with this...one correction, though...Dakin has SMARD. Regular SMA is actually quite common as far as genetic disorders go, but Dakin's is a different gene mutation. Just thought I'd clarify. You are amazing. Thanks!!!!

Sparks in the Desert said...

Heather! What a touching post! I finally got on my blog...it has taken me a while! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! send your e-mail address to chrissparks@infowest.com so I can send you an invite. Happy New year!

Sarah

MaryAnn said...

Thanks Heather!

Leanne said...

Oh that breaks my heart....I will definitely sign