Colin and his brother, Casey, both have SMA type 1, which affects their muscles. Colin and Casey cannot hold their heads up or sit unassisted. This also affects their respiratory muscles, so the boys have machines that help them breathe.

Colin has been doing well. He is currently a second grader. He "attends" school via video conferencing. This way he can be home, comfortable and safe; but he still learn what the other kids are learning and get some social interaction. He has a communication facilitator who works with him during school time. He also gets weekly visits from his Intensive Special Needs teacher and a Speech teacher. He has a DynaVox communication device which he is becoming very skilled in using. This way he is able to tell us his wants and needs; and it helps him  participate more with his peers in school.

He enjoys just about everything any other second grader would like. We help him do things by placing our hands over his hands, so he can experience painting, coloring, play dough, water play, etc. Colin is very smart and loves to learn!

His medical equipment includes: a bipap machine, which delivers positive pressure via mask when he sleeps or is stressed or tired, a suction machine to clear his secretions, a cough assist machine to help him clear his lungs, and a pulse/oximiter to monitor his heart rate and oxygen saturation.

For email and snail mail addresses, personal web site URL, medical fund information, and a current list of interests and hobbies, visit our "Kids List" page.

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