Weds., April 5, 2006, 4:06 p.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Ma'am~

I am writing to you because I read your book, "A Family Made Out Of Miracles And Rainbows", and I was truly touched by the love in which you and your husband share for needy children, particularly those with special needs.

I am a parent too: I am the single fother of two, both boys, and I live in Birmingham, Alabama. My boys are named Cyrus Ricardo and Caleb Reginald Houghton, and they are sic and four. My name is Coleman Houghton, and I am a stay-at-home dad. I did work at a factory, but I got laid off several months back, and it has been tough, really tough.

Unlike your children, my children are not adopted. They were born to me and my wife, Katie, but then Katie left me for another man shortly after Caleb was born, and it has left me devastated. Thank God I have my mother and friends nearby to help, but it is still a struggle to try to keep food on the table and to try to get the bills paid off. (Seeing that I am now unemployed, I rely on my unemployment benefits to pay the bills or get food, but that will only last for so long before the money stops and I am left in a bind.)

My oldest son is healthy, but my youngest (Caleb) was recently diagnosed as having Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. He has been falling a lot, and he has been having trouble climbing stairs. The diagnosis has left me gasping for breath and my mind reeling from shock. I don't know what I am going to do when he starts to show "signs" of his disese, and I can't afford to get him a wheelchair or the other things he may need down the road! I have been crying evre since that day several months back, and I am numb from grief.

I understand you have a son (Johnny, I believe you said his name was) who has Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. How old was he when he first started showing symptoms, and how old was he when he was officially diagnosed? When did he get his first wheelchair, and how is he doing now that he is a teenager? Is there a lot of personal care involved? How do you cope whenever medical emergencies occur? How do you keep your sanity? Right now my sanity level is about nil and it is all I can do to keep from wanting to physically harm Caleb so he doesn't have to suffer.

As I write this, I have tears streaming down my face. I see the future for my son, and it doesn't look good. All I see are crutches or wheelchairs, painful tests, endless poking and prodding, unlimited doctor's visits, and ultimately the death of my youngest child. Unless a miracle occurs or a cure is found, my son doesn't have a chance of getting older.

Well, I hate to dump my troubles on you (knowing you have more than your share yourself), but I am desperate for answers, and I am wondering how to get through the uncertain days ahead. I hope you understand what I am going through, and I hope you don't mind a stranger writing to you; but after reading your inspiring story, I had to write.

I hope to hear from you soon. All the best to you and your family (particularly your son, Johnny)!

Most sincerely, Coleman Tybius Ricardo Houghton, Birmingham, Alabama (father to two small boys, ages 6 and 4, one with Dochenne'e muscular dystrophy [Caleb]). :( >tears<