Victor's Journey: "My Miracle," a story by Victor's sister, Francesca

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

"My Miracle," a story by Victor's sister, Francesca

My Miracle

-by: Francesca Pauca, age 10-

There he was, my glorious miracle in my beloved Mother’s arms. I could not control myself, I raced quick as lightning to see him. “Can I hold him Mommy? Please? Please?” I asked pleadingly. ”Yes.” Mommy said. I plopped down on the bouncy hospital bed, and she placed him gently into my arms. My mind, only being a three-year-old was perplexed and befuddled. Where did he come from? Why is he here? I had so many questions! But I did not need to know, I was just glad he was born.

“I love you.” I said to him softly. Although, something told me he was different, something told me he was special. I didn’t care, I never have. His bright, sunny, blue eyes showed me true kindness. His glimmering, shiny brown hair was flawless. His toothless grin warmed me. “I love you.” I told him again. Otherwise, I was completely speechless. I knew he would always be there for me.

“ I love you.” I whispered to him once more. Here he is, in my own arms, my extraordinary miracle, my incredible brother, my awe-inspiring, spectacular, phenomenal Victor.

Francesca's story won 3rd place in the PTA Reflections Art Contest for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District (North Carolina), Literature Division, Elementary 3-5. Reflections is a National PTA Art Contest. The theme this year was the "Magic of a Moment."

Our Vision

We wish to develop a large community of friends around Victor who:

Allow themselves to be filled with the joy that Victor stirs within people who get to know him for whom he really is: a happy child rejoicing in the smallest things of life, reminding everyone to live for the moment,
Accept the differences brought by people and children with special needs as an integral part of society,
Understand the challenges people and children like Victor face and are willing to be advocates for their needs, and
Want to help make a difference in other people's lives by sponsoring research into rare diseases like Pitt Hopkins syndrome.

Victor's Story

This is Victor, our precious son. Our names are Theresa and Paul. Victor was born in August of 2005. He has a deletion of Chromosome 18q 21.2 – 21.32 / Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome. We also have two wonderful older girls who are typically developing. Our family lives in North Carolina, USA.

Victor is a very happy child, who loves to meet and interact with everyone–a true extrovert. He has dysphagia, which is a swallowing disorder, and has to have his liquids thickened to a honey consistency. Victor has asthma and has been hospitalized many times due to viral respiratory infections. He also has severe food allergies to nuts, dairy, eggs, and kiwi. Victor sometimes holds his breath for a few seconds when he doesn’t seem to be feeling well or is very tired. Victor has developmental disabilities. He rolled over at 9-10 months, sat at 11 months, crawled/bunny hopped at 14 months, stood alone at almost 2 years old, took his first steps at 2, and began walking independently at about 2 1/2 years old. He wears custom orthotic inserts in his shoes to provide proper alignment and added support when walking. He has a little bit of an ataxic gait pattern, and needs help with curbs and stairs.

Victor is very curious, and investigates all things in his environment. His receptive language is much more advanced than his expressive language —he can understand much of what you say to him, but currently is not speaking yet. Pointing has helped Victor tremendously to let us know what he wants and to make choices, and he is beginning to use some signs, putting 2-3 signs together at a time. He also uses a communication app developed by his Daddy for the iPhone/iPad, called Verbal Victor, with much success! We help him learn new things through prompting, repetition, and redirection. Victor loves listening to music, looking at books, playing with tops, watching favorite videos, using the iPad, playing outside, swinging, kicking a soccer ball, going down a slide, pedaling his tricycle and many other things–he enjoys everything that life has to offer! He is a joy and an inspiration to us all!