Joshua & Michael Garman

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Joshua's grandfather has passed away and asked that donations be made to his trust fund. Since our last post, Joshua's brother Michael has also been diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease. It has been a tough road for all of us but we are so greatful for the many blessings that have touched our lives. Our entire family is saddened by the passing of their grandfather and we are all trying to cope with the loss. We keep updates of the family's day to day lives on the boys care page so please feel free to follow their story. www.caringbridge.org/visit/joshuagarman We want to thank everyone in advance for any donations made to the boys trust fund and all of the condolences that have been sent to our family.

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My Story

Joshua was born in 2005 and developed normally until he was 4 months old, he was the perfect baby. In December, in his fathers arms, Joshua had his first seizure. We took him to the local hospital only to be sent home being told it was a childhood seizure and not to worry. The next day he had another one and we found ourselves spending 3 days at Cooper Hospital.
Doctors had no answers by the time we left and Joshua had been placed on seizure medications. Our pediatrician at the time looked at his labs and had us get new ones ran. At his 6 month old check up he told me he thought that Joshua happened to have the same disease his son had. He sent Joshuas information to a specialist in this disorder and that June right before his 1st birthday we flew him to Atlanta, GA.

The doctors did a live muscle biopsy and ran many tests to see what was causing the seizures and the developemental delays. After 4 months of waiting, right before Halloween we got the news that Joshua has Mitochondrial Disease Complex I.
Mitochondrial Disease is a life-threatening disease with no cure or medication. Joshua's body does not produce enough energy for him to sustain life properly.

Joshua has had seizures, developmental delays, loss of speech when sick, hemiparesis, dysautonomia, and a comprimised immune system. He is a tough little cookie and tries to not allow these things to hold him back. Recently, Joshua's brother Michael, was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease also. He was diagnosed through a mouth swab done at St. Christopher's Hospital for Chrildren.

Michael is just as fiesty but has his own set of medical issues. For Michael, the disease affects his GI system and gives him significant sensory dysfunction. He was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and underwent surgery to remove his tonsills and adenoids in hopes to fix the problem.

Doctors at St. Christopher's are now keeping an eye on George the newest addition to our family. Dispite all of their issues the boys are happy and overcome any obstacles that this disease places on them.

Looking at Joshua and Michael you would never know that there is something wrong with them. They lighten up the lives of those who know and love them. We could not immagine life without them.