Joshua Barker
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Hi, my name is Lynda and I would like to share Joshua’s story with you:
Joshua is an active 16 year old who had a rough start in life. Joshua was born three months prematurely at 2lbs 1oz, 12 inches long. His tiny lungs could not support him and he was placed on a ventilator with high oxygen levels. He developed severe
bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and trachealmalacia from which he has never fully recovered. He had many of the typical preemie problems and setbacks. But that was a long time ago. He spent the first 2 years at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
Joshua requires a ventilator at night and oxygen continuously through a trach. He also has a G-button although he does eat some soft foods.
Josh was diagnosed with Autism at 5 years of age. He communicates with sign language and determination.
On a happier note, Joshua loves the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and watches videos of it throughout the year. We have become very good at drawing the various balloons from past years. His favorites are The Cat-In-The-Hat balloon last seen in 1997 and Ronald McDonald. He loves Dr. Seuss books and videos. In fact, his
wish is to go to Orlando and see the Cat-in-the-Hat theme park at Universal Studios. Josh also loves Disney movies and the older Mickey Mouse cartoons.
Joshua loves to participate in the Lifeskills class at High School with his nurse (a very dedicated and special woman whom has cared for Josh for 14 years). He is a very hard worker and is making progress. He wishes school was all year long.
Joshua has a 12 year old brother, Ryan. Josh likes to go to Ryan’s little league games.
We are very proud of Josh and all of his accomplishments. He has proved the experts wrong time and time again. Each day with Josh is a gift and we cherish the time we have with him. We don’t know how long that is, but he continues to thrive for now. He is a very happy and determined young man and how much he can accomplish remains to be seen. We along with his nurses just support him medically and emotionally and give him the chance to grow. It is not always easy but his smile makes it all worth while.
