Xavier - A Little Hero
I received an e-mail last week from Inspiration Through Art (The Littlest Heroes Project), you see I volunteer to photograph children and their families through the organization. It is for children with serious illness and diseases and I get the privilege of meeting amazing children and their families. When I say amazing I don't mean the "amazing" we nonchalantly label things today. I mean AMAZING! The kind of amazing that makes you believe in miracles. The kind of amazing that makes you want to be a better person everyday and be thankful for the blessings you have. The kind of amazing that stays with you a lifetime. The kind of amazing that makes your heart smile to know you got to experience it. These children are that kind of amazing, and so are their families.
Xavier was born two months' premature and wasn't supposed to live more than 72 hours.
Xavier was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (his mitral valve, left ventricle aortic valve and aorta didn't fully develop). Basically he was born with only half a heart.
Because the left side of the heart does not fully develop, the right side overcompensates to get blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.
Sheree (his mother) is having a benefit for Xavier to pay for carpeting in their housing unit so Xavier can sit up on the floor, for travel expenses to Texas Childrens Hospital and other expenses not covered by insurance.
After Xavier's birth, his parents were given three options: a heart transplant, compassionate care or the Norwood procedure.
"He's our miracle baby. Just because babies are born like this doesn't mean they don't deserve a chance to live." -Sheree
Thank you so much for letting me into your lives, I will treasure it forever.
What a cutie...and oh what a little here! Great photos.
ReplyDeleteHow does one become involved in the Littlest Heroes Project? I would LOVE to do something like that.
Sign up on their site :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.littlestheroesproject.org/join-the-cause/
He truly is a very special and beautiful child. And so is his mother Sheree.
ReplyDeleteHe truly is a little Hero!!! And also my special lil man. But you also have to remember that with these children how very special their parent's are too. Just about 3-4 weeks ago he stopped breathing. Had it not been for the dog's barking that woke his mom up. She would not have been able to perform CPR on him, which in turn brought him back to life. She to, is a HERO.
ReplyDelete