On
September 20, 1989 at 7 am, I was blessed with the birth of my first son
David Andrew. David easily reached milestones prevalent to development.
Quite
early, David demonstrated his love and thirst for knowledge. At the
age of two, David would enjoy sitting on his Grandpa Reid's knee, reciting
all the birds in the bird book. He could randomly recite the name
of each bird, everything from the Grebes, Cormorants, to the varying species
of Owls. David's absolute favorite bird was the Owl. Whales
and Dolphins had a special place in his heart too.
In
the summer, before David entered into Grade 1, David would go down to the
barn to see his Grandpa Stamper - where his favorite thing to do would
be to practice adding numbers. In school, David was very studious,
quietly taking everything in. David enjoyed his special friends he
made in school.
David
loved computers and anything related to nature or science. Math and
reading was held in high regard. He enjoyed playing guitar.
David
demonstrated wisdom beyond his years, always concerned for those going
through rough times, always sensitive to the feeling of others. David
and I would have many philosophical conversations, even for one so young.
October
'97, David's father and I separated. David was in Grade 3.
In November '97 his teacher called, saying she was concerned about David
- "he seemed depressed," scholastically, she stated, David was having difficulties
with well established work, math and reading. The obvious question
was -- if the separation could be affecting him. As time prevailed,
the separation was a drop in the bucket.
In
December '97, David had a grand mal seizure, approximately 4 minute in
duration. He also was diagnosed with a Severe Auditory Processing
Problem. In January '98 follow up to the seizure a CT scan was performed.
Diagnosis of a severe visual processing problem was made. More importantly,
was how David felt, he was beginning to feel he was stupid, and was blaming
himself for the problems at school. At home, usually a happy- go-
lucky child, he started fighting with his brothers and becoming depressed.
It must have been a scary time for him to say the least.
During
this time, David started to do peculiar things, on two occasions, about
2 am; I could hear David crying downstairs. Upon investigation the
first time, David was very visibly upset, and sitting on the bathroom floor
- I asked what was wrong - David said, "I don't know where I am."
The second time same scenario he said, "I can't see." To say David
was experiencing a nightmare was an understatement. Blood work was
also a factor in the final diagnosis.
I recall sitting in Dr. Gillet's office awaiting the final diagnosis…David
has Adrenoleukodystrophy - but the most important question answered - there
is no
cure.
It felt like a world class boxer gave me a pulverizing punch to the gut
and on the way back out ripped out part of my soul. It was a long
trip home from London, the treatment would be the use of Lorenzo's Oil
plus Walnut Oil, and a very low fat diet. The advanced state of the
disease warranted out a bone marrow transplant.