My son continues to amaze all  who happen to meet him.  Whenever people see him, they are visibly moved, some to the point of tears.

I guess that's a normal reaction; I should get used to it, but my son is not an object to be pitied, nor is he his illness:  he is a human child who deserves to be respected, loved, accepted.

It isn't easy to overlook his obvious problems.  At the age of six, Sharif Ford is unable to walk, talk, or even breathe on his own.  He is ventilator-dependent, requires twenty-four medical care.  It isn't easy to raise a child with such significant medical needs; however, God's seen us through the worst of times, and He continues to bless our family by allowing our son to live longer than what doctors first predicted.

My son has a progressive neuromuscular disease that is fatal.  Doctors don't think he'll reach his teens; if he does, it will be a miracle.  At first he could sit up, even walk a little; now he can't do much for himself; however, beneath that broken little body of his lies a spirit that refuses to be vanquished.  He has more courage in his body than I do in my little finger; the bravery he shows during difficult days or experiences is nothing short of incredible.

Our other two children, eight-year-old Ecstacie (Stacie) and 11-year-old Timon, are very good with their youngest brother.  They help me with caring for him, making sure he has all he needs, making sure he's happy, comfortable.  If he is sick, they do everything they possibly can to try to make him feel better, to make him laugh, even smile.  I am very proud of how well they've handled their little brother's illness; not many kids can handle some of the things they've had to in life.

Sometimes they feel left out because everyone's attention is usually focused on Sharif.  I am sure that somehow, somewhere down deep inside, Stacie and Timon feel jealous, angry about what's happened; however, they take it in stride, go on, try to function the best way they can.

Anyway, back to my story:  Sharif is a very loving little boy who never lets life get him down.  When he is sick, he's vulneable; when well, he's the type who can light up an entire room whenever he appears.  He smiles often, laughs even more; he loves to listen to music, play on his computer, "talk" to his friends, play simple games that don't tire him out unnecessarily.  He loves to have his dog, "Max", a pit bull, sleep with him at night; Max is very good at protecting not only Sharif, but our other two children, too.

I just thank God that Rob (that's my husband) has a good job where we can pay the bills; most, thank God, are covered by our insurance plan.  We have a very good insurance plan; if we didn't we'd been on the streets, homeless, long ago.  I stay home to care for Sharif, Stacie, and Timon; my mother in law often helps out whenever Rob or I are feeling overwhelmed (particularly on the weekends; during the weekdays it's not so bad).

Well, I have to go; time to reposition Sharif, so he doesn't develop another bedsore; seems he's had a run of those lately; the last time he ended up in the hospital; he was in for three weeks.  Just got out not even three weeks ago; we're still getting bills from the hospital about that.  Very frustrating!!  Just continue to keep us in your prayers; we can really use them!!

~Sincerely, Tine (Christine) Wilson, Nacadoches, Texas. :)