Helping Quinten Stand Tall!

This is the story of my great nephew, Quinten Johnson. 

During his mother, Barbara’s pregnancy, she picked up a virus with a name that I can’t even pronounce.  But what it did to that tiny baby growing in her womb was devastating.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that can infect almost anyone. Most people don't know they have CMV because it rarely causes symptoms. However, if you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system, CMV is cause for concern.

Once infected with CMV, your body retains the virus for life. However, CMV usually remains dormant if you're healthy. CMV spreads from person to person through body fluids, such as blood, saliva, urine, semen and breast milk. CMV spread through breast milk usually doesn't make the baby sick. However, if you are pregnant and develop an active infection, you can pass the virus to your baby. There's no cure for CMV, but drugs can help treat newborns and people with weak immune systems.

CMV caused

Quinten to be born completely blind.  He has had more than ten surgeries to correct his vision to legally blind
A stroke in utero which resulted in his Cerebral Palsy.

CP caused
Neuromuscular scoliosis... different from idiopathic scoliosis which can be corrected.

 
It took Quinten five years to learn how to walk independently.  But he never gave up!  This type of scoliosis could eventually take away his mobility. Quinten has had fifteen + years of various therapies to make him strong and keep him mobile. He works very hard and never complains! Through his mother’s encouragement and participation, he has taken part in Special Olympics track, bowling and basketball. Has won countless medals for all his time spent in keep mobile!  Always smiling… Great sense of humor and LOVES Bob Marley!

He needs to continue seeing his specialists at regular intervals to keep close watch on his spine and surrounding organs especially now since he's hit puberty and has grown a whopping 8 inches and gained over 40 lbs. in the last 18 months.

 

His physicians in Dallas left this problem completely unaddressed which is why Barb has had to take him to Houston. A four hour trip one way!  The Shriners Hospital is a nonprofit facility seeing all who are sent through their doors.

 
Barb’s only desire to see Quinten be able to stand tall and walk for as many years as the Lord has left for him.  Since Quinten has been born, even though her field of work has been in the medical field, it’s been very difficult staying gainfully employed due to multiple absences to coordinate, carry out and be present for all of his care.  His next appointment is August 5th, so help is really needed right away!


This young man is the love of our lives!  He is our angel who reminds us daily that anything can be overcome! I will never forget the year he came to visit me when I was participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.  With the aid of his walker, he was able to walk a full lap around the track with me!  Many of my friends couldn’t get over how well he did and said it was a joy to see him smiling all the way around!   He is a very loving person and it is my hope that I can help him continue his care at the Shriners Hospital.

 

Because they live in Texas and I in Michigan, I felt that the best way I could help Quinten out was by setting up a GOFUNDME page to help continue their visits to Shriners Hospital.  Their family vehicle is in need of repair to be able to make the trips to Houston, funding is needed to pay for gas, meals and lodging while at the hospital.  One thing his mother, Barb, said to me when I asked permission to set up the page was, “Tell people that if they don’t want to donate to Quinten, to please, please donate to Shriners Hospitals.”  “They never turn anyone away and have been there for us when we really needed them!”

 
I have set my goal high!  I want to reach for the impossible!  I want to be able to see him stand tall until, as Barb said…the Lord calls him home!  Please help me help Quinten.  Thanks and bless each and every one of you for caring and sharing!