I wish you could see Toby as we see him ...
Toby is our youngest son. He is six years old and so very handsome!
Toby has nice, thick dark-brown hair that frames a small, pink, oval-shaped face, big sea-green eyes fringed with black lashes that brush tender, pink rosy cheeks, a small, upturned nose, a perfect little bow-shaped mouth, and soft, kissable plump fingers and toes.
Toby is also disabled. He has Down syndrome. One lousy extra little chromosome caused the problems that he will face for the rest of his life. Even when he gets to be an adult, he will probably always have the mind of a child: it's because of his Down syndrome.
In addition to mental disabilities, Toby has heart problems. He has already had two major heart operations and will no doubt face several more in the years to come. The last one nearly did him in: it was only by a miracle that Toby even survived! He has to be careful when he plays or he could end up back in the hospital with severe shortness of breath or yet another heart spell.
We have to be so careful not to upset him ... he is so delicate ...
It is not easy living with a child like Toby, but we have a large caring network of friends and family who see that he is kept happy or entertained. When we cannot deal with Toby's problems, then Mother, Daddy, or any number of relatives or friends stop in to give us a much needed respite from the cares of raising a child like Toby. We are truly blessed!
Toby is very much loved and cherished. People who see him can't help but smile: Toby has such a sunny, happy way about him and he seems to bring out the best in people.
Toby loves to have fun, as any little boy would. He loves to laugh, play hide-and-seek, play baseball (he is on a team for children who have speical needs; he adores baseball!), pick on his older sisters Chellie and Clarisa (9 and 11), and go to the zoo or amusement park. He loves country music and has seen just about anyone who's anybody in concert: Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire,. Rascal Flatts, Jimmy C. Newman, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Georges (Jones and Strait), Josh Turner, Miranda Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, so many others ...
He's met them too. Even had his picture made with them all and got their autorgraphs. He was in seventh heaven!
Well, I hate to run, but I have choir practice in under an hour, and Mother is going to come and watch the kids. Toby will love that; he adores his NeeNee so much! I will write in here again soon; hope you enjoyed reading about Toby and why he means so much to us!
~Love, Katie Beauregard, Dallas, Texas. :)
GO, Rangers!! :)
