My name's Patrick. Patrick Isaiah Nobles. I live in Teaneck, New Jersey, with my wife, Drea (Andrea), and our son, Gabriel Isaiah, who is seven--and the light of our lives.
I must tell you something right up front: our son is handicapped. He was born this way; it's something we've always known, but we try to make his life happy, comfortable, worth living. We do everything humanly possible to make the world much easier for our child.
Gabriel was born without arms and legs. Yes, that's right: he's a congenital quadruple amputee. He's had to make incredible adjustments just to do things we "normal" armed-and-legged people take for granted: button buttons. Hold a fork or a spoon. Feed himself. Put on pants or try to put on socks or tie his shoes. Brush his hair or his teeth. Play on the computer. Move around the place. Get on or off the toilet. Get in or out of bed.
He can do all this and so much more. He can write his name. Draw. Read a storybook. Roll around on the ground and play to his heart's content. Sing at church (he has the voice of an angel). Teach others about perseverance and courage amidst impossibly tall odds.
We consider Gabriel to be a gift from God. He is our child from Heaven, our little miracle-worker. If there is any indication of someone living for Jesus, it's Gabriel. He accepted Christ into his heart when he was five years old, and he adores church, singing in the children's choir, every week. He loves telling his friends (or even strangers) about what Christ has done for him; he is our little evangelist and prayer warrior!
Gabriel is in the gifted/talented class at his school, where he is mainstreamed with the regular kids. He does well in all his classes, and in a few weeks, he will be in the second grade. In fact, he may even be moved into the third grade; he is way ahead academically of his peers.
Well, I have to go: Drea has a doctor's appointment within the hour; I don't want her to be late, so I will write again another day, with more tales about Gabriel. He is worth bragging about; he is the best thing that's ever happened to us! Until later, take care, and may God bless you as much as He's blessed us!
~Sincerely, Patrick I. Nobles, Gabriel Isaiah's daddy. :)
*To be continued.*
