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Hi! My name is Zachary and I have Noonan Syndrome. This means that I have problems with my heart, breathing, and lymphatic system. I have extra skin on my neck and clubbed feet too. I love to be held and cuddled by my mom, dad and big brother. I also like to be swaddled in my Star Wars blankets. Thank you for learning more about me and my family. I hope you can help my Mom and Dad.
Tim and Theresa were busy working and raising their 14 year old son, Dominic, when they got the surprise of a lifetime. At 47, despite several miscarriages early in their marriage and health conditions making it nearly impossible, Theresa was pregnant! They soon learned they were going to have a boy, who they decided to name Zachary, meaning God has remembered. While initial tests all indicated they would be having a healthy baby boy, they later learned that he would have Noonan Syndrome. Tim and Theresa learned everything they could about Noonan Syndrome, some of which was very scary and other parts that were easily treatable. They met with experts and found doctors who would monitor and treat any of the myriad of symptoms baby Zachary could have once he was born. Tim has been a paramedic for over 20 years and Theresa has worked as an LPN for nearly as long, so they were uniquely qualified to care for such a special little boy.
On January 10th, a couple of weeks early, Zachary Alton was born! He had problems breathing initially so he was quickly intubated and placed on a ventilator. He was transferred to the NICU at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus where he has been since January 17. Zachary was slowly but steadily improving. The tube helping him breathe was removed and he was placed onto CPAP (a mask like some people wear for sleep apnea). He even got to do trial periods with only a nasal cannula providing oxygen into his nose. Everyone loved those times because Zachary got to show off his beautiful face and they could hear all his coos and cries!
After meeting with a pulmonologist, he recommended further testing to ensure that Zachary's airway was strong enough to stay open on its own. To perform these tests Zach would need to be perfectly still, meaning the breathing tube would need to be placed down his throat again, albeit temporarily. When the tube was removed, Zachary didn’t recover as quickly as hoped so they decided to re-intubated him. While attempting to place this tube, there were complications with a mucus plug which led to him not receiving oxygen for 15 minutes. Unfortunately, this has led to brain damage and probable cerebral palsy. Zachary now has many unknowns in his future. They may include being on a ventilator or CPAP permanently, having difficulty with speech, feeding, and mobility. It’s possible he may need round the clock care. What is known is that Zachary will now need physical, occupational, and speech therapy in order to maximize his development and capabilities. He likely has months left in the hospital, with Theresa on campus staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
As you can imagine, this has added immeasurable stress on the entire family. Tim has been working as much as he can as the sole breadwinner, and makes frequent 45 minute trips from home to Childrens to be with Theresa and Zachary. Dominic has matured greatly and has been getting himself to school, preparing meals and taking care of the family dog with minimal assistance. Theresa spends much of her time with Zachary, keeping up with all the specialists, learning his nuances, likes and dislikes.
The family has been doing the best that they can, but are incurring new unexpected costs associated with caring for Zachary. Tim is an amazing provider for his family. He routinely works 48 hour shifts with only 24 hours off before he returns to the station again. Normal shifts are 24 hours on and 48 hours off but Tim has always done this to supplement his income. All of this overtime benefits their bottom line, but leaves less time for Tim to be present and spend quality time with each member of his family. If their financial responsibilities are reduced, it is hoped that Tim will be able to spend more time with Theresa and his boys. Theresa worked regularly as an LPN with a patient she adored, but has not been working so that she can be there for Zachary. Theresa does not have paid sick time and doesn’t know when, or if, she will ever be able to return to work. Staying at the Ronald McDonald House provides Theresa with meals, however, she has several dietary restrictions that often limit whether she can partake in what they are serving. This has forced her to be on a limited diet of what the Children’s cafeteria offers or very often leaves her eating out at restaurants which adds up quickly.
We are asking for monetary donations on Tim and Theresa’s behalf to lessen their financial burdens and allow them to keep their focus on loving their boys and getting Zachary home. While the purpose of Zachary’s life is still being discovered, it is clear that Zachy continues to be a miracle baby. Bolstered by their faith, Tim and Theresa are fully committed to giving Zachary every opportunity available to him. Let’s show Tim and Theresa that we are committed too!
For more information on Noonan Syndrome:
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/noonan-syndrome
Tim and Theresa were busy working and raising their 14 year old son, Dominic, when they got the surprise of a lifetime. At 47, despite several miscarriages early in their marriage and health conditions making it nearly impossible, Theresa was pregnant! They soon learned they were going to have a boy, who they decided to name Zachary, meaning God has remembered. While initial tests all indicated they would be having a healthy baby boy, they later learned that he would have Noonan Syndrome. Tim and Theresa learned everything they could about Noonan Syndrome, some of which was very scary and other parts that were easily treatable. They met with experts and found doctors who would monitor and treat any of the myriad of symptoms baby Zachary could have once he was born. Tim has been a paramedic for over 20 years and Theresa has worked as an LPN for nearly as long, so they were uniquely qualified to care for such a special little boy.
On January 10th, a couple of weeks early, Zachary Alton was born! He had problems breathing initially so he was quickly intubated and placed on a ventilator. He was transferred to the NICU at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus where he has been since January 17. Zachary was slowly but steadily improving. The tube helping him breathe was removed and he was placed onto CPAP (a mask like some people wear for sleep apnea). He even got to do trial periods with only a nasal cannula providing oxygen into his nose. Everyone loved those times because Zachary got to show off his beautiful face and they could hear all his coos and cries!
After meeting with a pulmonologist, he recommended further testing to ensure that Zachary's airway was strong enough to stay open on its own. To perform these tests Zach would need to be perfectly still, meaning the breathing tube would need to be placed down his throat again, albeit temporarily. When the tube was removed, Zachary didn’t recover as quickly as hoped so they decided to re-intubated him. While attempting to place this tube, there were complications with a mucus plug which led to him not receiving oxygen for 15 minutes. Unfortunately, this has led to brain damage and probable cerebral palsy. Zachary now has many unknowns in his future. They may include being on a ventilator or CPAP permanently, having difficulty with speech, feeding, and mobility. It’s possible he may need round the clock care. What is known is that Zachary will now need physical, occupational, and speech therapy in order to maximize his development and capabilities. He likely has months left in the hospital, with Theresa on campus staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
As you can imagine, this has added immeasurable stress on the entire family. Tim has been working as much as he can as the sole breadwinner, and makes frequent 45 minute trips from home to Childrens to be with Theresa and Zachary. Dominic has matured greatly and has been getting himself to school, preparing meals and taking care of the family dog with minimal assistance. Theresa spends much of her time with Zachary, keeping up with all the specialists, learning his nuances, likes and dislikes.
The family has been doing the best that they can, but are incurring new unexpected costs associated with caring for Zachary. Tim is an amazing provider for his family. He routinely works 48 hour shifts with only 24 hours off before he returns to the station again. Normal shifts are 24 hours on and 48 hours off but Tim has always done this to supplement his income. All of this overtime benefits their bottom line, but leaves less time for Tim to be present and spend quality time with each member of his family. If their financial responsibilities are reduced, it is hoped that Tim will be able to spend more time with Theresa and his boys. Theresa worked regularly as an LPN with a patient she adored, but has not been working so that she can be there for Zachary. Theresa does not have paid sick time and doesn’t know when, or if, she will ever be able to return to work. Staying at the Ronald McDonald House provides Theresa with meals, however, she has several dietary restrictions that often limit whether she can partake in what they are serving. This has forced her to be on a limited diet of what the Children’s cafeteria offers or very often leaves her eating out at restaurants which adds up quickly.
We are asking for monetary donations on Tim and Theresa’s behalf to lessen their financial burdens and allow them to keep their focus on loving their boys and getting Zachary home. While the purpose of Zachary’s life is still being discovered, it is clear that Zachy continues to be a miracle baby. Bolstered by their faith, Tim and Theresa are fully committed to giving Zachary every opportunity available to him. Let’s show Tim and Theresa that we are committed too!
For more information on Noonan Syndrome:
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/noonan-syndrome
Organizer and beneficiary
Laura Hatcher
Organizer
Columbus, OH
Timothy Alton
Beneficiary