Colby had an undiagnosed disease of Cerebral Palsy. It wasn’t long before it was realized that diagnosis wasn’t correct because he started losing all his abilities to talk, walk, move, eat, etc. After many, many doctors he was diagnosed with a rare brain disease (Neurodegeneration Brain with Iron Accumulation – NBIA), which is incurable with a life expectancy of late teens to early adult. Colby is wheelchair/wagon bound now and has to be fed and medicated through a G-button to avoid aspiration.
Even though Colby’s abilities have diminished, his memory is still quite intact. He still wants to stand; he still wants to roll the wheels of his wheelchair. He never stops smiling and giving hugs to all he meets. When you ask him how many girlfriends he has, he will clap while you count them. He has counted over 40 girlfriends, which is true because he is a Casanova with every female he meets, including newborns lol.
Manny came to foster care on hospice in 2020. He was born at 23 weeks and had several strokes and seizures at birth. After being taken home, he was the victim of Shaken Baby by an unrelated person living in the home. He is better now, has gained several pounds, but continues with many, many medical issues. Manny is deaf and blind. He is non-verbal and also immobile. Manny has had a tracheostomy and G-J Button since birth. Manny has constant respiratory problems.
Even though, Manny doesn’t speak at this time, he has learned to make sounds and laughs at himself so hard when he hears himself. I want to be in his head sometimes because I think he visits heaven, because he breaks out into these beautiful smiles and laughter out of nowhere. He just throws his left arm in the air and just laughs and laughs. But beware of that left arm, it is his slugger, he will knock you out with it when is mad, lol.
Colby & Manny’s only local doctor is their PCP. All of their doctors are over 3 hours away. The used handicap van we purchased a couple years ago has broken down and is not worth repairing, we’ve been advised. Colby and Manny have been blessed with a medical and aide team that have earned their heavenly wings. They have stepped in to be their family and they make sure they do not miss any appointments and also that they get out of the house to have a quality of life outside of health issues.
Colby and Manny are fundraising to buy a new handicap van that will hold 2-3 pediatric wheelchairs/wagons and all of the machines, supplies, and medicines that must accompany them on every trip to get them to their specialist and some special needs activities and events.
Please donate to Help Hope Live in Colby & Manny’s honor today, and ask your family and friends to give, too! We are planning some local fundraisers in the East Texas area near Nacogdoches Texas. So, if you are able to attend or help with that, please contact us here on this site. Or contact their foster parent at [email protected]. Thank you for your generous support!
Get our “Needy Angels” rolling again and out of the house!!
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
