Persenaire

Lansing, Illinois

Ryan was born on Feb. 26,1997, one month early. I (Larry) found out the next morning when I went to the hospital. The nurse stopped me on the way to the neonatal care unit, and told me about their suspicions and that they had called a genetics doctor in. I had to tell my wife about their suspicions, and that a genetics doctor was coming in to talk to us later that day. The geneticist came in, told us why they suspected DS and that they took a blood sample to test and confirm the diagnosis.

After two weeks we had another visit with the geneticist and that's when they told us that Ryan had MDS. Being that this was our first child, we didn't know what to expect. Was he doing things at the right time?  Was he growing correctly? Was he doing that right? These questions and more we were trying to answer. Ryan had an ASD repaired when he was 10 months old  He came through with flying colors. He had tear duct surgery at 2-1/2 years old, which his parents aren't sure was a 100% effective. Right now he is a healthy 4-year-old. He climbs on everything. Runs around like any other 4 year old, and gets into trouble like any other toddler. We would not have him any other way.  He has brought much joy and happiness into our lives, like any other child would.