In June that year, his mother was taking him for a check up at the eye specialist. While sitting in the waiting room, it appeared to Stephanie that Nick had stopped breathing. She told the nurse, she in turn told the doctor and they were sent to the ER. Stephanie said it was as if Nick couldn't catch his breath, but it seemed to only last a few seconds.
While in the emergency room Nick did this a few times, but never when a doctor was present. Finally while one was still in the room Stephanie yelled to the doctor, and he said, "Nicholas is having a seiziure". Not what she wanted to hear, but a reason. He was put on medication to control them. They also wanted to schedule him for more tests.
Keep in mind that my daughter, her two daughter's and Nick were living in California, and we were here in NY. Then in July the tests were all complete. At some point in her pregnancy they determined that there had to be a lack of oxygen to Nick. Therefore he was not only blind in his left eye, a majority of his brain never developed.
By the first week in December, we had her and the three kids on a plane headed in our direction!! I did a lot of phone calling in the months before she and the kids arrived. We had to have doctors here ready to see Nick, and we needed to know what if anything our county had to offer a child so young, and what there was for him as he grew.
We live in Chautauqua County, in New York State. There is so much here that I still find it hard to believe. All of his doctors are at the Bufallo Children's Hospital. The doctors and nurses and all of the staff there have treated us all with the utmost respect and they are simply fantastic with Nick.
From the start Nick received in-home therapy until he was three years old. Then he was able to attend BOCES. BOCES is a vocational school, but also has facilities for the handicap until the age of 21.
Nick has been hospitalized more times than I care to recall, and there were many bad times. But this child can put a smile on your face when you enter his room. He can not walk,talk or stand. But he can and does smile!! His is the kind of personality that all should have!
Up until the age of five he never weighed over 19 pounds. He is now over 50 pounds and he can hold his head up, all by himself. That is a major accomplishment, one we are thrilled with!! I only have two pictures at this time to share with you, and I will be adding more very soon.
On Saturday, September 25,1999 Nicholas passed away. He did not suffer, just fell asleep, and when he woke I feel he was with God. Now he can walk, talk, and play like all the other little boys. Once again he is "whole".
Nicholas will always be with us. His wonderful smile will be remembered by all that knew and loved him. He accomplished more in 7 years then some do in 100 years. He taught us how to love all, no matter what the disability.
Nick, I know you are happy and that gives me some peace. Bye, "little buddy", till we meet again.
November 2,2000 another award....."thanks to "Nicholas"
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