On November 28^th 2005, we were blessed with our precious little boy, Samuel Dawson Bradley. God chose us to walk an amazing journey that would increase our faith and make us stronger. When Dawson was born it was determined that he had Trisomy 18.  God let us know through peace that He wanted us to help Dawson to have every chance at survival.  We didn’t know that it would be such a fight for our son’s life.  We were told that Dawson’s diagnosis was not compatible with life.  He was born with 3 holes in his heart (ASD, VSD, and PDA), an inguinal hernia, and he was also in severe respiratory distress. During the first few days of his life he was on an oxygen helmet and then was placed on CPAP.  We were so upset to see our little boy breathing so hard but even then God was telling us that it wasn’t his time to die.  We were at his bedside everyday and it was amazing to watch as he began to get better.  He came off of the CPAP after 7 days and was on oxygen for a couple more days after that.  Dawson would not eat his bottle so he was fed by NG tube. We learned how to place that tube and after 2 ½ weeks in the NICU we took him home.  We are very thankful for some of the wonderful nurses that we had in the NICU that kept us encouraged.

When Dawson was 1 month old he started having difficulty breathing. We took him to the doctor and they determined that he was in Congestive heart failure.  The good news was that one of the holes, the PDA, had closed on its own.  Through it all God was showing us that he had a plan for Dawson's life and He gave us tremendous peace.  It was an amazing but scary day.  The same doctor that said we would never be able to find someone that would do surgery on “a Trisomy 18 child” was now sending us to a surgeon.  This surgery would save his life.  In that same day we went from the doctor’s office, straight to have an x-ray, and then to the surgeon’s office.  This all took place in a matter of 2 hours and we were scheduled for surgery.  God is so good!!   Dawson had a band placed around his pulmonary artery (PA Banding) to slow the flow down to his lungs.  This would stay in place until he was big enough to have the surgery to close the 2 remaining holes.  He had his first heart surgery in December.  He did great in surgery.  He had a little difficulty coming off of the ventilator, but after the third attempt to get him off of the ventilator he started breathing well on his own.  After 10 days in the hospital, we were headed home. 

Dawson has had numerous surgeries.  He had a G-Tube and Trach placed when he was 6 months old to help him gain weight and breathe better.  When he was 11 months old, he had one of his hernias repaired.  Then when he was 1 ½ years old, he had gained enough weight where they felt he could have his final heart repair to close the holes.  God was so amazing that we had the surgery on Friday and we were going home on Monday.  We were prepared to stay for 2 weeks!!!  He then had his other hernia repaired and bladder reflux repaired when he was 2 years old.  God really protected and helped him to do so amazing during all of these surgeries. He has also had dis Trach removed and is breathing without obstruction of his airway.

Dawson has many developmental delays but with a diagnosis of Trisomy 18 you tend to look at even the small things as cause for celebration.  He has learned to do things such as drinking out of a sippie cup with a straw, plays with toys, and can even sit up for a short time by his self.  He loves music, interacting with other people, lights, and watching Clifford.  He smiles and laughs a lot.  He is always really happy and only cries when something is hurting.  He says mama, dada, and buba (brother).  He also loves to make all kinds of noise and he squeals when he is excited.  He has been the happiest little boy all through his entire life. 

Our journey with Dawson has been truly amazing.  God has taught us so much over the last 2 years.  We have had some hard times but God has proven faithful to take care of us.  God has placed an amazing team of doctors, nurses, and therapist to help us on this journey.  We could never express our gratitude enough for their willingness to come along side us to help Dawson in anyway possible.  His life has already ministered to so many people.  This journey has taught us to be grateful for even the small things, to treasure each minute, and to totally trust God with everything.   We feel truly blessed to have Dawson as our son; we are most definitely the proudest parents ever.  We believe that God has a huge plan for Dawson’s life and we are excited to see His plan unfold.  We praise God everyday for Dawson’s life, our faith, hope, and His continued blessings on our family.

Josh & Renae Bradley