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I have been away from the blog, it is true. Things have been busy preparing for the wedding, obviously, but there have been other things going on as well.
I want to introduce you to Oliver Mastin, Ollie for short.
Oliver is the only son of Fiance Dave’s oldest and best friend. (Truth be told: Dave and Neil have been friends longer than I have been alive!) Oliver’s arrival into this world was long-awaited and greatly longed for. Dave and I went to the hospital the day Ollie was born and it was wonderful to celebrate his arrival with his parents, Neil and Bekka. He was a very wiggly boy, who did NOT like to be confined or swaddled.
As the week’s passed Neil and Bekka noticed that Oliver was not developing as he should. He wasn’t his holding his head up well and didn’t move his legs very much. They began early to voice their concerns to doctors.
At two months old Ollie was diagnosed with the fatal genetic condition of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1. Oliver’s muscles have been degenerating ever since, slowly at first but as he has grown the degeneration has accelerated as well. Last month Oliver was put on a g-tube since his muscles are no longer strong enough for him to swallow food on his own. Eventually Ollie will no longer be strong enough to breath on his own and he will suffer respiratory failure. Life expectancy for his condition is less than two years.
Bekka and Neil have made it their goal to make Ollie as happy and as comfortable as possible during his short stay with us.
There is one way in which we can help Bekka and Neil focus on that goal. Oliver’s medical expenses have already maxed out their insurance, specifically the costs associated with his feeding and breathing machines. An account has been set up in Oliver’s name at the North Carolina State Employee’s Credit Union. It is our goal that Neil and Bekka will not have to spend hours on the phone arguing with insurance companies when they could be spending that time with their little boy. If anyone feels led to donate to Oliver’s needs, you can mail a check to Oliver Mastin, SECU, 6320 Capital Blvd, Ste 101, Raleigh NC, 27616. The credit union will deposit the check into Oliver’s account. Thank you for WHATEVER you can do. Every small thing is appreciated.
