Chloe Maureen Martin is my name.  I live in Nashville, Tennessee, with my six-year-old son, D'ante Demetrius.

D'ante is my world, my life.  I would die for him; that's how much I love him. 

Unfortunately, he may end up doing that sooner than me.  You see, he has an incurable disease that is not going to get any better.  If anything, he is going to continue to get worse, and it breaks my heart to see him suffering.

My son has spinal muscular atrophy.  He is now in a wheelchair, unable to walk, and breathes with a vent.  He cannot breathe on his own; his lungs are too weak.  It takes a lot of fortitude to take care of a child with his problems, but I am more than willing to try.

He was diagnosed with this condition when he was a few months old.  It tore me up inside; once I got over the initial shock, grief, I was more than determined to give my son a life, a life he could enjoy, experience to the full.

I think I've done a pretty good job.  You see, D'ante has seen, done things most kids don't get to.  He's been to Disneyworld twice as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation for sick/dying kids, he's met many celebrities, and he's been featured in our local paper as well as on the local news or telethons (MDA; spinal muscular atrophy runs in the muscular dystrophy family).

D'ante is a very outgoing child who loves to laugh, sing, play (as long as his health allows it).  When he's sick, it knocks him for a loop; he comes back fighting. 

I call him my Junior Muhammed Ali; to me, he's the epitome of greatness in a tiny body.  Nothing really holds him back for long.

I belong to a group of mothers who have children with special needs.  One of my very best friends is Terri Hershey, who has a seven-year-old son, David Patrick Morgan, who is autistic.  She and I call each other at least once a day (if not, more), just to bounce off one another, particularly if our kids are having a bad day.  It really has helped wonders!

I feel like I'm not the only one going through this.  Compared to some, my son is doing pretty good.  There's a man in our group (the only one!), who has a son with AIDS, and another woman who has a daughter who is totally affected by severe cerebral palsy.  There's also a lady who has a son who is blind, deaf, and mute.

I look at D'ante, and all of a sudden, things don't seem so bad, particularly when he is feeling good.  I count every day he isn't sick or in the hospital as another blessing, another miracle, from God above.

Thankfully, D'ante has had a string of good health days.  I only pray that they continue.

D'ante is a little boy who loves to laugh, play video games, sing, read.  He is incredibly smart, and he's always laughing or smiling.  He is a very happy child, and extremely well behaved, which is the best kind of child to have!  :)

I have friends who come over and help with D'ante when it becomes too overwhelming.  Terri is one of my frequent visitors, as are D'ante's nurses, Kathy, Bridget, and Hope, who come over three times a day to help out with the more techinical side of things (his vent, breathing treatments, exercises, therapy, et. al).  They are very loving, tender, patient with him, and they support me whenever I need to cry or scream out in frustration.

D'ante loves David Hershey.  Whenever he sees him, his face breaks out in smiles.  The two boys just adore each other.  I think D'ante is good for David because he will help him bring him out of his shell.  David doesn't relate to people very well because of his autism, but he's getting a little better.

Well, I see D'ante's light flashing; he needs me.  I guess he is up; I need to get him ready for school, get his morning meds ready, and be ready for when one of his nurses come to help me out.  I will write in here again soon; this is Chloe Martin signing off!  God bless and have a good day!  Say a prayer for us, that D'ante will continue to enjoy good health!

~Love, your new friend, Chloe Martin.  :)