"He brought this family to a new normal and has shown us how special, special needs really are. He has taught us to live in today and deal with tomorrow when tomorrow comes. He is our blessing, our lesson and our tiny teacher." - Case's Mom
Super Case
Pennsylvania
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| POW! |
We are so excited for you to meet Super Case - a true TinySuperhero. You know the saying "the best gifts come in small packages"? Well, Case is proof.
When Case's mom was 25 weeks pregnant, the doctors presented Case's parents with a grim prognosis. They couldn't figure out what exactly was causing Case's extreme slow development, but they provided little hope that their fourth child, and first little boy, would survive. Like all of our TinySuperheroes, Case ignored the doctors, and today he is trotting around, dancing, and just celebrated his second birthday on December 21st!
Case was born at 36 weeks gestation, weighing just 2lbs 13oz. He was quite a small bundle of joy! You can imagine his parent's relief when they heard their "mini man" crying upon arrival. The cause of Case's unique size remains undetermined and is labeled as an "Undiagnosed Underlying Syndrome". After 38 days in the Children's hospital, Case was able to go home, weighing 4lbs 1oz.
At 25 months, Case now weighs 17lbs, the average weight of a 6 month old. While developmentally he's keeping great momentum (walks, uses sign language, gives fist pumps, and blows kisses) he has several other medical issues to battle daily: brain stem abnormalities, low muscle tone in the right side of his face, sub mucus cleft pallet, narrowing in his throat, slow mortality, GERD, aspiration issues, abnormalities of the heart, a tethered spinal cord that was untethered, a dysplastic, multi-cystic left kidney, fluid in the right kidney….this is only the short list. Since before he was born they've qualified him as "Failure to Thrive". Case has 22+ doctors, specialists, and therapists to work through these issues and is about to have his 5th surgery.
One of Case's biggest struggles has been with eating. It is very difficult for his parents to insure he is intaking enough calories, and that he can keep them down. Currently, he is fed through a J feeding tube 22 hours a day. This is why he carries around the coolest little backpack ever (I'm sure it also holds his other secret superhero tools).
There's a reason why I listed all of these obstacles that Case faces (and I left out many). While his medical conditions are quite unique, they aren't what make this little man so special. Case's soul radiates. It radiates joy, peace, and resilience. If you had the privilege of speaking with his mom, you would see that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. This family of 6 sees their sweet Case as a blessing, and indeed Case blesses everyone he meets.
While under 2 years old, under 20 pounds, and just over 2 feet tall, Case is changing the face of disability. When curiosity strikes another shopper, Case takes the opportunity to make a friend. Not that he's lacking attention - he's got 3 older (adorable) sisters wrapped around his little finger at home! Not to mention his extended family at the Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh, their second home.
As his family says "Case is Case", but Case is also a miracle and a world changer:
I encourage you to continue to follow Case's journey, follow his mom's blog here.
There's a reason why I listed all of these obstacles that Case faces (and I left out many). While his medical conditions are quite unique, they aren't what make this little man so special. Case's soul radiates. It radiates joy, peace, and resilience. If you had the privilege of speaking with his mom, you would see that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. This family of 6 sees their sweet Case as a blessing, and indeed Case blesses everyone he meets.
While under 2 years old, under 20 pounds, and just over 2 feet tall, Case is changing the face of disability. When curiosity strikes another shopper, Case takes the opportunity to make a friend. Not that he's lacking attention - he's got 3 older (adorable) sisters wrapped around his little finger at home! Not to mention his extended family at the Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh, their second home.
As his family says "Case is Case", but Case is also a miracle and a world changer:
"Once I got over the fear and faced the reality of raising a "disabled" child I realized what a blessing it is to be his mom. He may be disabled but he had never let that define him. His ABILITIES out weigh his DISABILITIES. He is able. He is able to have peace in the midst of chaos. He is able to overcome obstacles. He is able to love when most would hate. He is able be be different and not ashamed. He is able to be strong while others would be weak. He is able to endure pain and be pleasant. He is able to rise above the sentence of a disability and embrace life. He put the ABLE is disabled and amazes us all."
-Super Case's Mom
I couldn't resist posting this video because Case shows off his super powers better than I ever could!
For the month of February we will be donating one TinySuperhero cape to a kid like Super Case for every TinySuperhero cape purchased from our online store below. Help us empower these TinySuperheroes by purchasing a cape for your own TinySuperhero!
TinySuperheroes is a small organization that seeks to empower our little ones — one cape at a time. Proceeds from cape sales enable us to spread the love! We donate TinySuperhero capes to extraordinary TinySuperheroes who exemplify strength and determination as they overcome great adversity. When you empower your TinySuperhero, you help empower others, too!
To nominate a TinySuperhero, email puddles@tinysuperheroes.com.
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