Chase was born full term (and at a healthy 7lbs 15oz!) but went to the NICU after delivery for respiratory distress.  After 10 days and 10 specialists, Chase's parents were sent home with their sweet baby boy, an apnea monitor, and instructions for follow-ups.

A nurse had heard a murmur and the cardiologist said he had a large VSD. His left foot looked a little off, and we did weeks and weeks of serial casting for metatarsus adductus. He wasn't able to produce sound at more than a whisper; the ENT diagnosed a laryngeal web. At about 7 weeks, someone suggested to his parents that all of Chase's little things could be attributed to a genetic syndrome. His parents searched for "VSD and laryngeal web" and found 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. They quietly kept a checklist and when the VSD was diagnosed as Tetralogy of Fallot during open heart surgery, they knew that was their answer. 

It was 7 more months, the week before Chase turned 1, that the diagnosis became official. 

Since then, Chase has endured 7 more surgeries, years and years of OT, PT, and ST, and more doctors visits than they can even count. He is followed by an incredible medical team (neurology, cardiology, endocrinology, ENT, developmental pediatrician, immunology, orthopedics, genetics, psychology, craniofacial clinic, and 22q clinic) and they help make sure Chase is healthy and thriving.  

He is now in 2nd grade and excelling in all that he undertakes!

More than anything, we hope Chase knows how loveable and capable he is and how proud of him we are.  He is more than his diagnoses - he is smart, kind, brave, strong, a friend, loved, and amazing!