FORT WORTH — A few days ago — as many of you worried about gift lists and travel plans — a special little baby was born with a life-threatening deformity.
A local adoption agency asked that we share his story because someone who sees him may be his future parents.
Baby Don is just seven days old, but already has had much taken away.
His birth mother relinquished her rights to him.
And then there is the child's health.
Baby Don has Pierre Robin Sequence, a birth defect combination that left him with a cleft palate and a deformity that gives him an almost nonexistent chin. As a result, his tongue can fall back, choking him.
Each breath is a little victory.
The Gladney Center for Adoption is handling Baby Don's case. "We are searching for the perfect family for him," said Gladney spokeswoman Jennifer Lanter. "That's a big job, and we want to make sure we find the best family possible for him."
First, however, Baby Don needs help from the best surgeon.
Dr. Sacha Obaid, a pediatric craniofacial specialist, has agreed to perform the five-hour operation on Christmas Eve.
Over the course of a month, tiny screws in Baby Don's jaw will be turned each day to enlarge it. "We literally cause him to grow a brand new jaw," explained Dr. Obaid.
It's a frightening, and at times painful process. So while Gladney searches for an adoptive family, they've called on a temporary family in Fort Worth to hold his tiny hand before surgery and to soothe his hurts during recovery.
"We'll go there and make sure he's held a lot, bring toys for him to look at," said Mary Weiss.
Baby Don could be breathing on his own as soon as ten days after the surgery; his jaw will be formed a few weeks later. The healing and strengthening of the jaw will take another two months.
"Our baby will be able to play football, play for the Cowboys, be chairman of the board," Dr. Obaid said.
But first, Gladney must find Baby Don's new mother and father. Prospective parents can contact the agency at 817-922-6000.
E-mail chawes@wfaa.com
