A super short story of a miracle child and the marvelous human body...

As I begin to say goodbye to my grandmother, a lady who has lived a wonderful 77 years thus far, I can't help but marvel at how the human body works. As my grandmother declines in health my son improves. I am thankful for every moment that my grandmother has spent healthy, and I am thankful for every moment that my son continues to improve.

70 years seperates them but inside they are the same. 7 years my son has struggled daily to live. In 7 short days a lady who has had few health struggles during her life has suddenly been given more than she can handle. Her body fails her, while her mind is still in tact. Her quick downward progression has reminded me these past few days of the struggles that my son has faced and how even though we all have seperate battles, that we are the same.

You see, my son started his life unable to control the basic functions of his own body. A tube (placed inside his neck) and machine breathed for him. A tube fed him and still a tube emptied his bladder. He had his first operation at just 4 days old, followed quickly by another less than a month later. Before he reached a year of age he underwent 13 different surgical operations. Each consecutive year lead to even more surgeries. For every two steps forward, we took one giant step backward. He spent more of his life inside hospitals than outside. The time spent outside hospitals was used visiting different specialists and trying to get him "healthy". He could not participate in activities that other children could because the risk of infecting him was too great. His siblings were kept away from the same activities for fear of them bringing a contaminent to him. September marks the first entire calendar year that he has spent outside of the hospital not including visits and check ups.

He is now 7 years old and in these last 7 years he has gained some control over his body. He is unable to walk and instead uses a wheelchair. If he is heavily braced and supported then he is able to ambulate on his own, but tires easily and can only walk roughly 50-100 metres at a time. While he still relies heavily on technology his dependency upon it is decreasing as time goes on. He is becoming stronger. As of October 2012 he no longer requires a machine to breathe for him!!! The tube in his neck remains with him, but every tiny breath that he takes is HIS and not that of a machine. His nutrition continues to come via tube but at the same time he is taking food by mouth. How many people do you know that can eat while eating? It took 3 years for him to be allowed to eat orally and we celebrate every bite he takes.

Small things that most parents tak for granted are a joy to us. Hearing my son cry was a major milestone. Can you imagine not hearing a sound from your child for years? His first sounds were spectacular. Hearing him speak brought tears to my eyes. Every movement of his tiny paralyzed body and every sensation that he felt was marvelous. Everyday he continues to amaze me with his progress and his "never give up" attitude. Though he still faces many struggles and is still very fragile, the progress thus far is outstanding.

And on the other hand, the downward progress my grandmother has faced these few short weeks has also been outstanding, albeit in a different, sad, way. A month ago she was diagnosed with cancer. She had no signs or symptoms of it. The diagnosis came as a surprise to everyone around her - including her. She chose to face this diagnosis as my son has faced life; without a complaint and with a happy attitude. She wouldnt chose this problem for herself; my son didnt chose his. We have no say in the matter, but we do have a say in how we chose to accept it. I was humbled by how my grandmother accepted her diagnosis. "If *your son* can go through everything he does and still remain positive and with a smile on his face, then I can do the same"

Ive sat back these last few days and watched as my grandmother has declined and thought about how the struggles she is faced with now are the same struggles that we have been overcoming with my son. Though they are years apart, the human body still struggles the same. My child started out in the position that my grandmother is quickly turning to. Every breath is getting harder for her and she will quickly need a tube to breathe (though she desires otherwise). She is unable to take enough to sustain her nutrition and has been fed via tube. She cannot control her bladder and is requiring more help with that. Soon, she will no longer be with us and a time of celebration will be spent in a time of mourning. So, this season as I stress over preparing for the holidays, I am reminded of what truly matters. I am reminded that no matter who we are that circumstances can quickly change for us and we shouldnt become so used to how we are now because tomorrow we may be a different person.

No matter how we started our life, or how we end it, we all have something in common and that is the marvelous gift our Heavenly Father has given us - the mortal body. Please dont take it for granted. Too often we are grateful for the things in life that dont really matter. What if you woke up tomorrow and the only things you had were those that you gave thanks for today? What would you be left with? Every step you take, every breath you inhale, every object you see, every noise you hear, every bite of food that passes your mouth, be thankful for it. Somewhere out there, somebody isnt so lucky.


[size=16pt]Not-So-Fine print: I am taking a big risk by sharing this information about my child. Please respect my choice and most importantly my CHILD and dont make stupid comments![/size]

Awwww

What about your grandson, too?

Larry-Sun:
What about your grandson, too?

Im too young for grand children.

I pray God grants him health

You are a warrior.
Strong for your granny and your son.
Yes, you truly deserve to celebrate every breathe he takes and bite he makes.
My regards to your little warrior...
Give him a hi-five for me.
May Jah continue to fortify you in every single way....
Everyday.

;DMay God grant him good health, I can him becoming a footballer in years to come.....another lionel messi

Thank you guys

SniperInADiaper:

Im too young for grand children.

The Lord's hand is on your family, you shall smile in the end.
Bless you.

Wow! I'm encouraged by ur son's doggedness and optimism abt life. As 4 granny, God'll giv her d strentgh to carry on.

Am really touched by this. Sniper...all i can say is that you're a strong man. This a very strong encouragement for me

Awwww so touching. This kid has a bright future ahead of him. You have really done a Great JOB staying with him all these while. Your efforts shall never be in Vain! U will grow old to reap the fruits of your labor.. More grease to your elbow.

Wow vry touchble never give up,God wil help u out of dis,

Touching...Water in my eyes. Exit thread before it drops.

azeezlateefah: ;DMay God grant him good health, I can him becoming a footballer in years to come.....another lionel messi

Ronaldo

Sniper, your son has a lovely smile. Thank you so much for sharing such intimate information. God bless you for using your experience to remind others to be thankfull. Tell your son Aunty parisienne is sending him a Huge e-hug. God bless you all this season

You sure one of the greatest mum that ever existed.

The Lord strenghten you, make His glory shine over you, may He keep you and your families from any evil.

All is well.

He'll be healed completely... Cute boy.

God, knows that his tomorrow is better and He above will heal him and remove every pain and let whatever pain he has gone through not come back and his days ahead will never know pain and sorrow and for God to give his parents the courage to forge ahead as sickness could be a way for God to bring us nearer to him and same God will heal your boy and remove sorrow from you and yours forever.

because u shared this testimony in faith,dat little cute son of yours shall have a remarkable change before the year runs out

Sincerely, u just made me shed tears now, i pray that d Lord who has given you d power to stand by him till now will give you d grace to see him healthy, strong, happy and successful in life.
You are a great mother!
There is going to be a positive total turn-around for this cute boy very soonest, by His grace.
Remain blessed.

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa

Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your wonderful family. Wishing you son good health

Serious u've encouraged me. U are more than courageous.

This boy will live to thank you for your labour of love. So many mothers would have given up on him but you didnt. God bless you ma. I'm encouraged.

Aww, what a touching story! I know God will always be there to strengthen the little child and his grandmother. Thanks for sharing it with us.

wow tamx for sharing , I learnt alot from ur story. The hand of God will surely come upon ur son and bring him out of this challenges faster than u can ever imagine

Tears in my eyes...God who kept him this far has a purpose for him,many didn't go through half this boy's condition yet couldn't make another,thanks for encouraging us,God will surely intervene in ur family.

Tears in my eyes...God who kept him this far has a purpose for him,many didn't go through half this boy's condition yet couldn't make another,thanks for encouraging us,God will surely intervene in ur family,stay strong.

Hello OP,
I want to personally say thank you for your years of selfless giving and sacrifice, need I say your patience and resilience in providing love and care for your little man! You are among the very rare parents we have.
To every memnber of your family bravo! Thank you guys immersely.
Your son is really a fighter, his smile made my heart skip. Give him a kiss for not giving up on the struggle and for the many surgeries he pulled through! Big Boy!

Tell him he will be a role model to many kids in future to them he will be pillar of strength
Lord thank you for the Op and his family. Thanks for all the children on life support and their parents. Send your healing hands!
Sorry about your grandma, its well

Aww I'm encouraged now. I have son with a challenge also. He was born wit microcephaly. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless u.

Oh my goodness. I didnt expect this to make front page. I am humbled by all of your sincere comments.

One of our lessons in Church today was chosing to be happy no matter what our circumstances our. My son is a true example of that. I pray that you guys can use his story as an inspiration to be happy.

Thank you all for the sweet comments.