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My mom & dad say that I am their little miracle. Did you know that you and everyone who is helping me is actually a big part of making my miracle come true?  It is because of you that I keep making progress.

I was born December 16, 2004 and because the cord was around my neck, I was not breathing at birth...  But, I was given a second chance at an incredible life and took my first breath.  My parents did not know what this lack of oxygen during my delivery would ultimately mean to me, but they would learn very quickly about the severe injury to my brain. When I was 4 months old, they were told that I was blind and had multiple health challenges. About a year later, they were told I had Cerebral Palsy and may never walk.  This is where our incredible journey begins...   (Read more about my story here...)

You can also visit my BLOG for current updates

or visit the link below for my mom's most recent letter/blog to me:

Dear Dylan...  October 26, 2009

CURRENT NEWS  

March 2009: I was accepted into a study at Duke University for children with Cerebral Palsy, where I will get an infusion of my own cord blood stem cells (my parents banked my cord blood when I was born -- how cool is that!). I am so excited about the possibilities. I leave for Duke University on May 23, 2009 and with faith, hope and prayers, my parents are optimistic this will help me to get started down the road to healing.  Do you want to know what I am hoping for?  I am hoping for improved vision, the ability to talk, and to learn to walk.  Did you know I am 4 years old now?  Can you imagine how much I have to say, and how cool it will be to run with my classmates on the playground?? 

Sept 15, 2009:  My re-infusion was on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.  Within  6 weeks of getting my new stem cells, I started talking and responding when my mom and dad would ask me questions.  It has now been about  3 1/2 months and it seems like a lot of things are changing for me.  You can see above that I was hoping for improved vision, the ability to talk, and to learn to walk...   Well, it does seem that my vision is changing and I am holding my hand close to my face and seeing it with my right eye now.  Mom says that I get all 'giddy' when I can see my hand in front of my nose.  And yes..., the stem cells seemed to have helped me with my talking.  I gain new words every day, but right now my favorites are Eeyore, Tigger and Ball Pit.  About that walking I was wishing for??  Well, my right leg was pretty spastic and I had a hard time making it step correctly, but since my stem cells, with my Mom & Dad's assistance, I am making better steps and my right leg/foot is coming through much straighter.  I don't seem to drag it through anymore.  Pretty cool stuff, don't you think??  

Sept 27, 2009:  This month has been a whirlwind for me and my parents.  We went to Bend in early September to stary my Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments at Bend Memorial Clinic, and after only 2 treatments, it was decided that I needed to get ear tubes put in place in order to help me clear my ears of the pressure when we were descending down to depth.  So, we returned to Corvallis, made an appointment with the ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) doctor and I had ear tubes put in.  We then returned to Bend on Monday, Sept 21, and started the Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments again.  The 1st two were a little rocky, but it has been pretty smooth sailing since then.

Nov 1, 2009: I have now completed 30 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments.  About 2 weeks ago I started to talk a little more and answering questions asked by others.  I am responding more often with the appropriate responses when people talk to me.  I have learned to drink from a straw (something my mom and dad were trying to teach me for months) and I just understand more of what is going on around me. Mom & Dad think the HBO treatments are definitely making a difference.  In addition to the Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments, I am also doing speech therapy and physical therapy (including HIPPO therapy -- horseback riding to help build my core strength).   We live at the Ronald McDonald House in Bend during the week and often go home on the weekends.   The RMH House is very close to the clinic where we get HBO treatments, and also walking distance to my speech therapy.  It is very centrally located, and the RMH is awesome. We have never stayed in a RMH before, but it has been wonderful and has become oursecond home.

About my talking...  a few weeks ago I changed my name to "Tigger" and when people call me Dylan, I always correct them and say,  "I Tigger", and then I usually smile.  My favorite words now are "Tigger, House, Doctor & Cleo (my dad's friends dog)". 

I really like my Doctor's (the one in Corvallis & the one here in Bend) so I was excited that  I got to be a Doctor for Halloween.  When asked what I want to be when I grow up -- you guessed it -- "Doctor" (or sometimes I may surprise you and say "Tigger).

As part of my amazing journey, my mom writes letters to me and posts them on my blog. In all this going back and forth to my out of town doctor appointments, therapy and treatments, my mom has missplaced the password to the blog.   She still writes the letters, they just aren't actually posting right now.  She has been writing a comprehensive update letter to me on the monthly anniversary of my stem cells.  The letter below was written on my 5 month anniversary, October 26, 2009.

Dear Dylan...  October 26, 2009

Did you know that you, and alot of other amazing people have made all this possible for me?  It is pretty hard to say an appropriate Thank You for what hundreds of people, many of who I don't know, have done to help me have a better future.  It isn't much, but THANK YOU.  When you see me and you see me smile (which I do most of the time), that is my incredible gratitude for your encouragement, prayers and support.  

	Your help is invaluable and can change Dylans' life

If you want to learn more about my infectious spirit and determination or join those who have committed time, energy, prayers, and/or financial resources in my quest for healing, speech, sight & mobility, please contact my parents or go to How Can I Help?

There is just one more thing that I wanted... 

I really wanted to say "Thank You" for joining me on my journey...