Sam is an outgoing, happy boy that touches the lives of everyone that he meets. He has very good self-esteem and is able to draw people to him wherever he goes. If a child questions his size or makes comments that can be hurtful he somehow manages to explain things and turn that child's attitude completely around and moments later that same child will be introducing Sam as his new friend!
Favorite Hobbies:
Sam loves to play basketball, soccer and hockey with us in the driveway. He is not able to play team sports due to medical reasons. He also loves swimming, reading, playing video games and watching television or movies. Another favorite pastime is collecting pokemon and yugeo cards. Sam enjoys music and when he hears it his body starts moving-he is quite the dancer!!
Proudest Accomplishment:
Currently Sam is very proud that he has grown almost two inches in the past year. Prior to starting growth hormones a year ago he would typically grow one quarter of an inch a year. He is also very proud of how well he does in school, especially in Reading and Math. He tells us all the time how proud he is of his sister for giving him her bone marrow.
MPS Heroes:
I would have to say that there are two. Dr. Murray Feingold is Sam's biggest medical hero because he diagnosed him at a young age and Sam knows that he had a huge role in saving his life by doing so. Dr. Charles Peters, previously of Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN did Sam's bone marrow transplant and followed him closely for the seven years after.
Words of Wisdom:
I once saw a poem titled "If I had my child to raise again"- a few parts were "I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes", "I'd build self esteem first and leave the house till later"- we only get one chance, so take the time to play. Enjoy, because time goes by so fast. The greatest gift that we can give our children is our time. When they are grown, that is what they will look back on and remember.
Personal Diagnosis Experience:
I has suspected from as early as two months that something was wrong due to a constant runny nose and very loud breathing. He also had a large head and thick eyebrows. We saw a Genetic Specialist at 7 months and two months later had the diagnosis of Hurlers. He had his bone marrow transplant at one year of age. His sister was his donor. (HLA 6 out of 6 perfect match)
