He weighed 5 lbs 5 1/2oz at birth and the things that set the doctor thinking something could be wrong was that he had angulated thumbs and 11 toes.

So at 3 weeks of age we went to Riley Hospital for Children thinking that there would be a doctor there that would look at his thumbs and fix them. Well to our surprise we were sent to the genetics department and I'm sure everyone knows how the rest of the story goes...complete devastation. We were shown pictures and actually given the worst scenario.

Devin had eye surgery at 4 months old because his lashes were inverted.

At 6 months of age they discovered that the reason his leg lengths were different was because his left hip was dislocated (had been since birth).  So we went through 19 days of traction in hopes to bring it back into socket. No luck and at 7 months he had surgery for his hip and to correct his thumbs. He wore a body cast for 8 weeks.

In August 94 he had surgery to bring his undescended testes down and was only successful with the right side...Left one is gone. In October 95 his right knee became dislocated during a routine check up at the Developmental Pediatrics.

May 96 he had surgery on the right knee to correct the dislocation. In January 97 he had his hardware from the hip surgery removed as well as the 11th toe on his left foot removed. Just when we think surgeries are done someone brings more up. His thumbs are growing back a little (left more than right). I think we are gonna wait and see if they slow him down any before we agree to another surgery. My heart breaks everytime they take him away for surgery. I cry alot!!!!

Devin is a pure joy and wins the hearts of everyone. He is non-verbal and uses sign language to communicate. Sometimes he stumps people but he eventually gets his point across. He loves Barney, Kidsongs, Blues Clues and listening to the radio. He also plays on the computer very well. We have the mouse with the ball and he maneuvers it great.

He will begin Kindergarten very soon and will be in special ed for the morning and with regular ed for 1/2 hour in the afternoon. I am real leery on the general ed.

Devin lives with me (mom--Corina), dad (Brad) and brother (Bailey 2 years). Devin and Bailey get along like any brothers do but you can really see the love they have for one another.

Devin is yet to be potty-trained and believe me we have tried everything we can think of. He enjoys going in the bathroom because he knows he will be sang to and get to watch us act goofy to try and get him to potty in the potty.

There are days that get very hectic but nothing in this world would be worth trading OUR DEVIN!!!!

Sincerely

Corina Fix