I think it's easy to look at pictures like this one and wonder why I am constantly posting on Facebook about donating or joining our team.
But I think it's very easy to forget just where we've been. This was Connor when he was younger. He was pretty much either asleep or doing this. He was not happy. At all. Like ever. Except when Daddy came home from work.
Okay Bonnie, all babies cry. So what. We've also had numerous hospital visits, stays, ambulance rides, etc. In fact, we're approaching the 3 year mark of this day:
This day forever changed our lives. It was the day we finally admitted to ourselves that he needed a feeding tube. He was getting sick so often, and on this day, his body just couldn't take it anymore. He was intubated in the pediatrician's office and we were rushed down to MUSC. We had been getting pressure for a while from doctors about getting a feeding tube, but this event sealed the deal.
Why does this matter and what does it have to do with the Avondale 5K?
Well, simply put, the Avondale 5K benefits his daycare.
A place that has a nurse on staff. Think about that for a second...do you know of many daycares with a nurse on staff? Nurse Susan is simply amazing.
A place that already knows how to handle a kid with a feeding tube. They know how to run his feeds, how to program his pump if it dies, and they can even put a new "button" in if the one he has pops (and they've had to do this at least twice now). It was a seamless transition back to Webb after his surgery.
This picture would be the aftermath of our first attempt at changing his button out. It was chaos to say the least!
If Connor's "button" comes out, it is crucial that a new one be placed ASAP as the stoma can close up quite quickly. Most daycares would NOT be equipped to replace this, and it would be difficult to get it back in by the time one of us got there from work...
I had to add this video in here...this is right after his surgery 2 years ago when we learned how to give meds the first time. It is hilarious watching how slow we do it. Now we just push it right on through without any hesitation.
A place where his therapists see him every week. We don't have to stress over getting him to therapy appointments. They go to him (and he's had a couple of them for a looong time!)
A place that brings Santa to him. There is no way he could've gone to visit a mall Santa when he was younger. Waaaaaay too many germs. Luckily, Connor gets to see Santa every year now!
They even made his wheelchair into the doghouse from Charlie Brown. How perfect?!
A place that sends him on adventures, and pushes us to let him experience things we would never think to take him to (like the movies...which for the record, he fell asleep in every single one this summer).
The Charles Webb Center is a place that has been a lifesaver for us. There is no doubt in my mind that without them and their amazing care, I would no longer be working. They were this amazing find that saved us (and looking back, I don't even remember how we found out about them). That fussy boy in the video earlier? That's how he was for them too for a looooong time. Now? He LOVES being there (well, as long as they're playing music constantly for him).
Please, if you live locally, consider coming out for the Avondale 5K. It's a fun race that is super family friendly (and you can walk too!). We also greatly appreciate any donations you can make. Just click the link below to register and/or donate.
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