Colby Devon is my special little miracle. He has been a vital part of my life since his birth seven years ago; it's only by God's sovereign grace that he is still even here today.
Colby was born five months premature. He wasn't expected to survive; if he did, he would probably have significant physical and/or mental disabilities that would last the rest of his life. He weighed only 10 ounces at birth, less than a can of soda pop, and he was less than 12" long: he was impossibly tiny.
Miraculously, Colby did survive, but he spent six months in the hospital until his weight reached four and a half pounds; when he did come home, he came home on oxygen and monitors. He would need the constant supervision from doctors until he reached his first birthday; so much could happen to him; it was a very scary time for all of us.
Colby learned to talk at the age of two and didn't walk until four and a half. He wears lightweight plastic orthotic braces on his lower limbs and walks with crutches for balance; otherwise, nothing really slows him down. To watch him at play is nothing short of amazing; he can wear out even the most seasoned of babysitters! LOL
Happily, Colby doesn't have any brain damage: he is extremely smart; he is in the gifted/talented program at his school because he is way ahead of his peers academically. Now, if only his physical prowiness could make up for his intellectual capabilities: we'd have a potential Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking on our hands!!
Colby is very popular with the kids in his first grade class. Soon it will be time for summer vacation; like all kids, he is really looking forward to a summer filled with splashing in the pool, going on trips to the local zoo or amusement park, visiting relatives, or going camping. He is also looking forward to the parades/fireworks on the Fourth of July; the Fourth of July has always been his favorite holiday.
Colby has two older sisters: Candace Grace (9) and Cierrah Lynea' (12). Like all brothers/sisters, they get along, but they have their moments where they want to kill one another! LOL This is when I, their mom and dad, have to step in before any blood is spilled; thankfully we've stopped their fighting -- most of the time, that is. LOL
Candace and Cierrah are very accepting of their little brother's phyical limitations. They have learned patience, tolerance, and kindness towards those who are "different"; Colby, meanwhile, has learned how to spit spitwads across the room, climb the highest tree, and get into all sorts of trouble that only a young kid his age can do. His disabilities have never stopped him -- and it appears that they never will. Colby is a kid with nothing but sheer guts and/or determination about him.
Like most boys, Colby loves baseball, football, anything athletic. He also loves to read anything he can get his small hands on, and he loves to play video games or watch shows like "American Idol", "America's Got Talent", "America's Funniest Home Videos", or "Dancin' With The Stars" on television. In addition, he loves to sing; he wants to be one of three things when he grows up: a singer, an astronaut, or a professional (disabled) athlete and compete in the Olympics.
Well, the kids are calling, so I must run along. I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Jack Pettigrew saying so long and God bless! I think I will have more stories about Colby and the rest of the family in the future; you haven't heard the last of our story yet!
~Jack Pettigrew, Ames, Iowa.
