Photos
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HISTORY
7/10/07
Sam diagnosed with 22q13.2
6/4/08
Sam had kidney surgery for renal reflux grade 4 at Carolinas Medical.
Hospitalized for 4 days. They performed renal implantation.
7/16/08
Sam meets with the SC Gov. Mark Sanford. Proclaimation is signed declaring Phelan-McDermid
Syndrome Week.
7/18/08
Sam begins experiencing seizures. These are considered partial seizures where
he "zones" out, then ususally throws up and must sleep for long periods of time.
The after effects are ususally a strong headache the next day.
7/20/08
Kim McCrea of WYFF4 does news story on Sam and Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Link
to watch the video!
8/18/08
Sam attends his first day at Meyer Center for Special Children. He is bused
to and from school and attends The Goddard School in the afternoons.
10/1/08
Sam learns to wave bye-bye and slapping "5". Sam receives his gait trainer equipment
to help him in walking and balance.
10/31/08
Sam is approved to start the fundraising efforts for a SERVICE DOG. See Donation
page for details.
11/20/08
Kevin Dixon decides to honor Sam by running Myrtle Beach Marathon in Feb. 2009.
1/15/09
Sam begins to feed himself. He loves Pancakes, Hotdogs and Cherrios.
2/1/09
Sam meets fundraising goal at 4PawsforAbility.org Sam had to raise $13K for
the organization in order to receive the service dog. GOAL MET! Sam will go
to Xenia, OH for 2 weeks in June to train and receive the service dog.
2/7/09
The Goddard School, the afterschool that Sam attends, provided a fundraiser in
Sam's honor. They sold coupon books and all profits went to the 22q13 Deletion
Foundation.
2/12/09
Sycamore Ridge Subdivision's Ladies Bunco holds Bunco game with proceeds going
to Meyer Center for Special Children, the school Sam goes to for Therapy and learning.
Thank you Patti Walker for making this happen!
2/14/09
Kevin Dixon runs marathon and is sponsored by many. Funds were raised for Sam's
service dog.
3/30/09
Sam is notified by 4Paws for Ability that he is in the June 2009 training class.
5/15/09
Sam is notified that SITKA, a golden retriever from the Alaska littler, will
be his new Service Dog.
6/8/09
Sam and family go to Xenia, OH for 2 weeks of dog training. He meets lots of
new friends like Emma and her dog Levi, Devin and her dog Homer, Cody and his
dog Polly.
7/5/09
Sam loses his first tooth. The front left tooth became loose from a fall he
experienced about 6 months earlier.
8/25/09
Sam's service dog SITKA becomes FAMOUS! She is discussed and pictured in a book
titled Dog Heroes: Seizure Dogs.
12/20/09
Sam loses 2nd tooth
1/10/10
Sam can hold items with dropping. Loves bananas!
2/15/10
Sam starts on Methatonin for Sleeping. Will have Sleep Study done in March.
3/1/10
Sam is a regular at Wild Wing, Greenville. He has a new girlfriend, Tessa, that
makes sure he is well taken care of and gets his food REALLY FAST!
7/1/10
Sam breaks clavical at school
12/20/10
Sam receives arm braces so he does not chew his hands. And new leg braces so he can walk in hopes that his hips will begin to align.
7/1/10
Sam breaks clavical at school
12/20/10
Sam receives arm braces so he does not chew his hands. And new leg braces so he can walk in hopes that his hips will begin to align.
3/13/13
It has been a while since I have updated you on Sam. He is now 7 years old.
He goes to a special school called Washington Center and is doing very well.
He rides an adaptive bike and enjoys the playground. He receives ABA thereapy
along with PT, OT and ST. He continues to wear orthotics and will have leg surgery
this spring at Shriners for hip and kness that have become dysplastic.