Nicholas
Partial Trisomy 16p+
Nicholas, as so many other children like him, was given little chance, if any at all, of surviving past his first birthday. He was born with a cleft palate, ASD, VSD, one functioning kidney, and displayed facial features characteristics of a chromosome disorder. To make a long story short, he is now 7 years old and the most amazing human I have ever known. He thrives on love and affection, has quite a temper, and has an incredibly strong determination. It's funny; his pediatrician still talks about the first time he saw Nicholas, only 2 hours old. He said he could tell by the sound of his cry that he was a fighter. We've had tremendous ups and downs with Nicholas (too many to write about), but he always seems to make it through.
Nicholas walks with assistance, is non-verbal, but lets you know what he wants in his own way and is developing self-feeding skills. His only real health issue right now is his seizures.
I truly believe that Nicholas had and has a guardian angel watching over him. Everyday, for the first two months of his life that were spent in the hospital I said a prayer to him. And now he has a plaque with that prayer above his bed.
"Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God's love, commits me here.
Ever this day, be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide,
Amen"
Nicholas is a blessing to everyone who has ever had the privilege of knowing him. These children are so special; blessing to us all.