On June 20, 2008 at around 5:00pm I received a phone call from the neurologist telling me that Riley had been diagnose with SMA. We were told he had a 20% chance of survival past age 2 and here we are marking the third year of his diagnosis. This has been a hard year for us to have seen so many friends lose their babies to this disease. I can't help but keep asking why Riley has been spared for so long. The only answer I can think of is that we all have our time and Heavenly Father will bring him home when the time is right. For now we will continue to give Riley a full life filled with as many adventures as possible. This year he was able to fly on a plane, ride on a boat, zoom along in a monorail and take many many bus rides. He was also able to attend preschool. Something we never imagined he would have been able to do. Riley is our little miracle. Not just because of his daily battle with the disease but because of all the lives that have been forever changed because of him. For all of those who have the privilege of having Riley in your life you truly have tasted a slice of Heaven. It takes a big team of Doctors, Nurses, Therapists, Family and Friends to keep Riley thriving the way he is. We don't know what we would do with out them. They become a part of your life, a part of your family that is irreplaceable.
This is Riley with with Dr. Swoboda the most incredible, compationate, dedicated woman I have ever met. She loves these kids as if they were her own. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her and her amazing team of researchers dedicated to fight for the lives of these kids. We love our Riley boy so much and are so proud of all the things he has been able to accomplish despite the HUGE limitations of his disease. You are such an inspiration!
