Grant G.

Virgina

Birth Date - October 3, 2004

Main Diagnosis - Pulmonary hypertension

THEME:   SPORTS, specifically Baseball and Football, with a special request for the Philadelphia Phillies (baseball), the Tennessee Titans (NFL

football) and the South Carolina Gamecocks (College Football)

Grant's Story

Grant was born with Down syndrome.  We knew he had heart

issues from the start, but we thought over time, he would overcome them.  He

initially had a total of 8 holes, 4 of them closed spontaneously within a

few months, but 4 others (atrial septal defects--ASD) remained open.  We

also knew there was a possibility he had pulmonary hypertension, high

pressure in the right side of his heart.  But since the cardiologist could

not get any specific readings from his echocardiograms, we were thinking

this was not the case.

Grant contracted RSV pneumonia at the age of 2, and that is when his Dr saw

severe pressures in the echo results.  We didn't know if it was just from

the pneumonia and would go away when he got well, or if it was a permanent

condition.  When Grant was 2 1/2, the cardiologist decided it was time to go

in with a catheter procedure to close the ASDs.  After the procedure, the Dr

came out of the cath lab to tell us he did not close the holes, that Grant's

pressures were in the severe category of pulmonary hypertension, and he

needed to leave the holes open to help as a pressure release valve of sorts.

We didn't know a lot about the condition, but knew it was incurable and that

treatment methods were still being developed.  His Dr told us that if Grant

did not respond to treatment, his heart would likely give out by the time he

was 12.

We started Grant on 2 different medications to hopefully improve the

condition of the arteries in his lungs to alleviate the pressure building up

in his heart.  He is now 9 years old and growing well.  It has been a long

journey to date and we still have a long way to go, but the pressure in

Grant's heart has started to come down, little by little.  He was finally

able to have his ASDs closed 2 years ago and that is helping his heart.  We

are thankful to God and his Drs for the progress we have seen and know every

prayer helps get him closer to being healthy.

Grant is a special child.  Not only does he have Down syndrome, but he also

has autism.  He is nonverbal, but is learning to communicate through

modified sign language.  He loves electronic toys, playing ball, and to just

sit outside and watch nature.  We are blessed to have him in our family.

God gave us a gift when he chose us to raise him.

"Thank You"

IT CAME!!! It is so AWESOME!!! Thank you SO MUCH! This represents so much selfless giving and love for Grant. We are thrilled!! Thank you for taking point on it and please pass on our appreciation to all of the "stitchers" who contributed. It is a priceless keepsake for Grant!