Our son, Hayden Randall, is six years old.  He is the light of our world.  We cannot imagine our world without him.

Our son is also disabled.  He was diagnosed with leukodystrophy when he was a baby; now at the age of six, he can no longer walk or talk, but he can still effectively communicate with his eyes, which are cerulean blue.  Hayden has his daddy's eyes; they are strikingly beautiful.  He also smiles or nods (or shakes) his head, in order to make a point.  It may seem rudimentary to some people, but he gets the job done, especially when he smiles.

We were devastated when Hayden was diagnosed.  He would never have a normal future, but we, his family, were determined to give him one.  

Even though he can no longer walk, our son "plays" baseball on a team for children with special needs (we act as his arms and legs; when he "hits" a base hit or a home run, we wheel Hayden around the bases, and everybody cheers).  He enjoys being with his friends, and we enjoy seeing him having fun just like any child.

Goodness knows, he certainly deserves that!

Hayden also "swims", bowls (via a ramp attached to his wheelchair), writes stories or poems with a special typewriter, and goes shopping at the mall or attends concerts.  That is when he is well.  When he is sick, our world stops and we stay with him (and pray over him) until the worst is past.

It is only by God's sovereign grace that Hayden is still with us.  Doctors didn't think he'd live to see the age of five.  He's beaten their predictions by a year, and even though he is on oxygen to help his breathing, he is still going strong, surprising everybody who meets him for the first time.

 The courage that our son possesses in his frail little body is nothing short of amazing!  He gives us some of that courage, as does the love of our Lord and Saviour up above.

To be continued.