My Story

My Story

I was born in 1987 at in SPARROW HOSPITAL in Lansing, Michigan. I was a preemie--I was born 5

weeks early and weighed 5lbs 10 oz. The doctors said I have VATER syndrome, a rare

developmental disorder that affects the kidneys (I am missing one kidney) the spine (I have

scoliosis) the digestive tract (I was born without an esophagus), the respiratory tract (I have tracheal

deviations) and is also often associated with heart defects (I have tetrology of fallot - 5 defects

within the heart). My first surgery was when I was 8 days old - I can't even remember it. The

doctors put a tube in my stomach so I could have food (I couldn't eat by mouth until they made an

esophagus when I was 2). I had my first heart surgery when I was 3 months old, and another when

I was about a year and a half. When I was a litle older, the doctors did a major heart surgery where

they corrected a lot of the defects. It was 10 hours long, but I don't remember any of it. After that

heart surgery, the doctors did another surgery, in which they used part of my stomach to make an

esophagus so I could eat normally. That really made a big difference in my life, and I haven't

stopped eating since (just ask my family). Just 3 years ago at , DETROIT CHILDRENS HOSPITAL,

the doctors did another HUGE heart surgery, in which they put a pig's valve in my heart, and used

a cow's heart tissue to make a patch on my heart. My surgery was 14 hours long, and I was on the

heart-lung machine for a long time until the doctors could make the repairs. Until that time, I got

really tired when I did a lot of physical activity, and couldn't play sports. I always went to MSU

hockey games and got to know the players. I always dreamed I would one day play hockey.

When I went to Detroit for my surgery, the MSU hockey players gave me an autographed Hockey

Jersey and a signed card wishing me well. I wore the Jersey to the hospital the day of the

surgery. We stayed at the RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE of Detroit. Dr. Henry Walters of Detroit

Children's Hospital did such a great job that I was able to go home in just one WEEK!! I was home

in time to see Mark McGwire his his record breaking home run!!

That was September 1998. The following December, my Grandfather (Poppie) enrolled me in a

"Learn to play Hockey" class at the SUMMIT ice rink in Lansing. The following fall, I tried out for a

GLAHA (Greater Lansing Amateur Hockey Association) squirt team as a goalie. I was on the

Lansing Royal Scots team. I played Spring hockey and then Last year, I played on the

FIREBALLS squirt hockey team. I Played spring hockey and was on the FIREBALLS spring team.

We WON the League title!! This fall, I moved up to Pee-Wee hockey and play for the LANSING

REDWINGS team. I love hockey and want to play high school and college hockey - hopefully for

my favorite team, the MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS!! A little over a year ago, I raised over $1200

for new playground equipment for the RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF LANSING in honor of the MSU

Spartan Hockey Team. I guess this is one of the reasons the Olympic Committee selected me to

be an Olympic Torchbearer. I think this is one of the best things I have done so far. I am so

honored and proud to carry the torch for my country on January 6, 2002

Now, I am in the eight grade at HAYES MIDDLE SCHOOL in Grand Ledge.