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Our son Patrick was born on 1-23-03 as a normal healthy baby boy, weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces. By the time Patrick was 4 months old we realized he wasn’t reaching his milestones and that was when this roller coaster ride began. We started our doctoring in Minneapolis, then went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester and when they told us they didn’t have any answers for us we decided to return to Minneapolis. The clinics here were still unable to diagnose him, so his neurologist referred us to Atlanta, GA to Dr. John Shoffner to test him for Mitochondrial Disease. We received the information in October 2004 that he indeed has Mitochondrial Encephalopathy Complex I. We were told that the average life expectancy for a child like Patrick is 4 to 10 years old, but with continued prayer and faith in God we have been blessed to have Patrick for 19 years. Patrick has severe hypotonia (very low muscle tone), severe rod-cone dystrophy (they believe his vision comes and goes), seizures and movement disorders which are controlled by meds. and a Vagus Nerve Stimulator, scoliosis, sleep apnea, reflux, dumping syndrome, autonomic nervous system dysfunction and immune deficiencies. He is fed by a g-tube which has saved his life thusfar. He is hooked up to a Pulse Ox, a Feeding pump, C-Pap and/or Oxygen at night. Patrick is a happy, easy going young man and is loved by all who meet him. We are blessed!
