I wish you can see the potential in my son. I wish people could learn to look past his "imperfections", see what I see in him.

Henry Michael is ten years old, yet he has a gentle way about him that makes him pleasant to be near. My son was born handicapped, born with spina bifida that's left him dependent on a wheelchair (or crutches for short distances), yet he doesn't let his health problems get in his way.

Henry loves to do many things, among them play on the computer (he's really good at Cubis 2; he can get past all 20 levels while I die in the first round! LOL), sing and play the guitar (he hopes one day to make it to "American Idol"; that's his favorite tv show; he also loves "America's Got Talent"), draw, write stories or poetry, collect Poke'man cards, and just veg out when he doesn't have any homework.

Henry has two brothers Hogan Matthew (12) and Timothy Craig (14) and three sisters (all younger; their names are Hilari Michelle--8, Hope Faith--5, and three-year-old Hileah Grace); he is very close to his siblings. They get along great; they rarely, if ever fight, which is something of a miracle. :)

Henry is accepted by many kids because of his outgoing personality. They've learned to accept him even though he is handicapped; I just wish more adults would take a lesson from me or the kids, learn not to stare at him or make rude comments regarding his problems.

Henry can't help the way he is; it just makes up a small part of him; he is not his disability--he is a person with a disability, first and foremost.

Henry has been in and out of the hospital for most of his life. He does understand that he needs the surgeries to make his life better, but it's still hard when we spend time in the PICU, not knowing whether he is going to make it through his latest illness, his latest surgical procedure.

It is hard on him at times; yet he relies on a strong faith to get him through the worst of times.

My son accepted Jesus Christ as his saviour when he was six; he is very involved in his church. He sings in the children's praise choir every Sunday, and he loves "making a joyful noise unto the Lord". Nothing gives him more satisfaction than to be sharing his vocal talents with others or spreading the Message of Salvation through music.

We are extremely proud of him; I just wish other people can see the goodness, the potential in our child. If they could jsut learn to overlook the outer shell, see the inside, his heart, his soul, his uniqueness, then the world will be a much better place, not only for Henry, but for all people.