Our "Featured Child" Justin born on 10/19/96. Because of no fetal movement he was born by emergency C-section and was born "blue" due to the cord that was wrapped around his neck. They had to work hard to resucitate him and he spent the night in NICU.

During that first nights stay they discovered his interrupted aortic arch and VSD. At 3 days old he underwent his first open heart surgery and did phenomenal in his recovery. We knew we had a fighter.

For several years we kept having "health issues" and we couldn't understand why. We never even thought that genetically there was something wrong. Early milestones were not being met and our cardiologist told us to let him know if his "speech didn't develop" to let him know. At age 3 his palate issues were discovered after ear tubes and anadenoidectomy lead to fluid loss through his nose for the first time. Two palate repairs were to follow including intensive speech therapy. It wasn't until age 5 that our cardiologist finally spoke up and said " I have suspected that he may have 22Q11.2 deletion. At 8 he underwent a second open heart surgery at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia to correct a sub-aortic membrane growth. Since that time we have seen major improvments in his immune system, energy level and overall growth.

Justin enjoys spending time in the mountains hunting with his dad, snowboarding and loves his 13 horses! They are his "best friends" and a great comfort to him. He likes to train them and has a special and unique way that they respond only to him. Some have even said he is a "horse whisperer". He hopes to start roping lessons this spring and enter a few rodeo's this summer. He also has two dogs that are his constant companions, and three brothers.

Justin has a sweet and loving spirit and is very determined to overcome the obstacles that are presented in his life and we are so grateful to have him in ours.

Holle McRae