When Soren was 2 years old, he suffered a near drowning. It was July 1, 2014. The day before, I went to Kennywood Park with my daughter and friends. All day, I missed Soren and talked about him the entire time. We got on the subject of Childrens Hospital and I remember saying, "I don't even know where it is and hope I never have to go there." The next day, Soren and I woke up, I took him to breakfast at Burger King. His therapists came for a short visit. His mom went to get lunch and I said "You should take Ren with you." She couldn't because his dad had his car seat in his car. I told her to go buy him a new one. I put his full swimsuit floater on and we went swimming. He never took that suit off. He would fall asleep and I would have to fight to get it off. As we swam, I said, "I missed you so much yesterday. I don't ever want to be without you. I keep you forever and ever." He got close to me and spouted water in my face and laughed. He was/is always a jokester, a prankster, always laughing. By that time, his mom dropped off lunch and headed back out to get another car seat. We came in to eat. He dropped lettuce down the front of his suit and said, "Off." Shocked, I said, "Off?" Then he demanded, "OFF!" I took it off. He sat in the living room with his aunt and cousin playing trucks. I went outside and sat on the deck. I came in to get my phone and got a text one of the therapists dropped their phone in my chair. My face in my phone, my back toward him, he must have snuck out to the pool. I went back outside and sat, face in my phone, in the event he came out. Little did I know, he was already out. By the text messages, the store reciept, etc. it was literally five minutes when his mom came home. I went in to get him and he wasn't there. His aunt thought I knew he went outside. I thought he was still in. I ran to the pool and didn't see him. Back into the house and searched, checked the street and the yard. My heart sank, and I said, "no,no,no." I ran back to the pool and looked against the wall at the bottom. I screamed, I dove in and grabbed him. I started cpr. I screamed at 911 to get there. Kids, babies, they're not suppose to die. My world shattered. I prayed, "God, you said when three are gathered in your name, in agreement, whatever we ask is done. You brought Lazarus back from the dead. Bring my baby boy back." He survived. We spent 4 months in Children's Hospital. He was making great progress. He suffers from an anoxic brain injury. He has lost his ability to walk, talk, eat, even laugh. He regressed from last year ( due to botox treatments for spasticity). He was standing supported, laughing, working memory, and had all cognition. He receives much non traditional therapies such as chiropractic (which his insurance won't cover), functional neurology, acupuncture, brain plasticity centers, additional speech therapy, hyperbaric oxygen and equine therapy. His therapies have exceeded $30,000.00 over the past few years. We are in desperate need of a wheelchair van, continue with his therapies, and we are looking forward to a trip to Duke University for stem cell treatment. On a smaller scale, I need a blendtec blender to puree his foods, an outdoor adaptive swing, a chair for him to sit in inside and outside, and if we can't get a van, the insurance won't cover a foldable, portable stroller; I carry him inside to all his doctor appointments because his adaptive wheel chair is too heavy and doesn't fit in the car. Our lives changed in those minutes. All I want is our baby boy back-no matter what it takes. I never understood how much would be involved with his care. I thank God everyday he is here. But I miss that laugh. That energy. I miss that little boy who lit up my whole world. Thank you for supporting the most precious gift from God.
