Bryant Paquette
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Bryant with mom Cheryl and Sister Julia
Looking at Rabbits, 2001
Bryant was born at 36 weeks gestation because of fetal distress. We had no warning that something was "wrong" until the moment of his birth. His main problems were obvious birth anomalies including bi-lateral club feet and fronto-nasal dysplasia or hypertelorism (wide set eyes, flat nose). However, the most challenging issue in his early weeks of life was the fact that he had been born with a totally absent swallow reflex. He had no gag, cough or ability to swallow even his own saliva. He had a g-tube put in a 2 weeks of age and then the trach at 6 weeks. Bryant had a very eventful four months in the NICU and was finally sent home because we begged and pleaded and they felt there was nothing left they could do. They said "IF" he survived he would never have even the slightest purposeful movement. He had constant salivary aspiration pneumonia and was on life support at home with 24 hour nursing. He had multiple attempts to stop the aspiration including an eppliglotal tie down and a laryngeal closure, both of which failed. Finally in desperation we traveled to CHOP and had a laryngeal separation done (permanent trach) which immediately stopped the aspiration and gave Bryant a whole new lease on life! He learned to drive his power wheelchair and uses a Dynamyte to communicate as well as sign/body language. He can ambulate with assistance, takes horseback riding therapy and does well in school, learning to read and do math, etc. He is an incredible little man who has overcome incredible adversity, all with a smile. He lights up our lives every day!
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Riding Dad's New Toy
2001
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Lounging in Pool
Summer 2001
