He was born with Oxycodone in his system and When he was born he was brought back to us after 27 minutes of the Dr's working on him. Yes it was a blessing that they were able to save him but in the process he had 2 very extensive brain bleeds. Over time the brain bleeds got worse which caused extensive swelling in Dakota's brain. In order to subside the swelling the neurosurgeon had to install a
shunt into Dakota's brain. When it was done more fluid then was hoped was pulled from his left side of his skull. Because of this Dakota's head is misshapen at the left rear side of his skull. Also from the extensive bleed to his right side of the brain he has had severe scarring, and a huge amount of white mass matter left on his right side of his brain. This has left Dakota Blind in the Right eye and he has detached retinas on the Left side due to the pressure of the resucitation of him at birth. We do think that he may have some kind of vision which makes him attracted to light but his Eye Dr. Says no there is no vision after numerous times of dilating his eyes with no response to the bright lights used for the testing. He told us to just take him home and enjoy him which we have! Dakota has very little use of his left side of his body, his muscles are very tight and he tends to not try and use the left side of his body. Since We have Dakota which took place in December full time of 2013 we have gotten him in to some pretty extensive physical, occupational and speech therapy. We are seeing slow improvements each week no matter how small they may seem. For a child to have laid for 18 months on his back with no socialization or movement he is coming a long way. Dakota's Father did what he could do but his hands were tied in so many ways to getting Dakota the proper help, but Mom kept his hands tied to doing anything to help Dakota. Dakota also has a swallowing issue and will not take any substinance by mouth. He is fed by a gtube in his abdomen. He is gaining weight now and is progressing nicely. We are working on speech therapy to try and get him to allow food to his mouth. It is a difficult job daily but he is coming along slowly, and starting to allow a spoon into his mouth. Dakota also has Cerbral Palsy. My wish for Dakota is to have some kind of joy in his life, no matter what the hardships it may be to me, my Wish for him is to Dream whatever he wants to and for him to reach those Dreams in whatever way it may be possible for him to do so. He deserves it his mother didn't take initiative with him a short time after birth in the actual care of him, he was allowed to lay for many hours without any socialization or therapy, and We love him and want the best life possible for him. As Rascal Flatt says
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish. Presently I have many needs for Dakota but I know the Lord will fulfill whatever he or we need
God Bless and May all Dakota's Dreams come True
Grammy and Pop Pop
