Brent T. - Quilt Finished in 2005
Born: February 2, 1989
Illness: Absence of the Corpus Collosum (a thick bundle of nerves which joins the two hemispheres of the brain together), Totally Blind, Endocrine DXS, Hypothyroidism, Diabetes Insipidus, growth hormone deficiency
A Thank you from Brent's Family!
Written October 15, 2005
Cathy, how do we ever thank Love Quilts and ALL the talented stitchers for the beautiful love quilts my children were gifted with today. Thank you also for sharing your family and delivering these in person as this was an extra special gift to our family. I am still in awe this evening as I looked at each individual square and can't imagine the patience of each quilter as they so lovingly labored to make these masterpieces for our kiddos. I am the world's most uncrafty person and couldn't sew a seam let alone create what you brought today. Thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart for the special gifts for 3 of our children. I know they will cherish them for the rest of their lives. As the mom to many special needs children YOU HAVE ALL TOUCHED MY HEART IN A WAY YOU WILL NEVER KNOW. LQ and Stitchers will forever hold a special spot in my heart as I watch 3 of our 10 children daily lavish in the love and warmth given so generously and unconditionally. Thank you and God bless each and every one of you.
Love, Sue T. mom to Brent, Kim and Sean T. amongst our earthly angels.
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On October 15, 2005 my family and I were able to hand deliver Kim, Brent and Sean's quilts to them. The following was written when I got home that night. I will post this on all 3 kids sites. Cathy - LQ Founder
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Hi all, I am bushed (so keep that in mind as I write this rambling post! LOL), but thought I would come online quickly and let you all know how my day went.
Today we drove about 85 miles into the "thumb" of Michigan to hand deliver Brent, Sean and Kim's (Jessie Kimberly) quilts! We left here about noon, drove and picked up hubby at work as it was on the way and off we went. All who went were... me (of course!), my hubby Jeff, my son Curt, my daughter Kayte, Kayte's friend Taylor and my mom! What a "herd" coming in we were, but with a house full of 10 adopted children, many many cats and kittens, 5 dogs (2 are saint bernards!), outside was rabbits, pigs, goats, ponies... I am sure they didn't even wonder when 6 people piled out of the car in their driveway!
Anyway, we arrived and met everyone. How wonderful everyone was and it was so nice to finally meet them all. Right after we got there and before the kids got their quilts Brent treated us by singing two songs (and later a third), he has a wonderful voice. Brent is totally blind and to barely meet all of us and then sing for us... well, it was amazing and we all had tears in our eyes.
Kim was the first to open her quilt. She hugged and looked at her pillow and then her quilt. With two other siblings waiting to open theirs she didn't spend much time looking at it then, but later, as we were talking, she spread it on the floor and looked at every square.
Sean opened his quilt next. Sean is 5 years old and is very shy and didn't quite know what to make of everything. Although I know he loved his quilt and I am sure will look at it and enjoy it when he is comfortable and alone, we didn't push him too far at the time as you could tell he was very uncomfortable with everyone all watching him. I know he will love it though.
Brent opened his last and could hardly contain himself. He spent a lot of time trying to read the braille beads that were on the pillow and was just beaming when we told him it said "proud american". He fingered his quilt for the longest time and asked if he could put it on his bed. Later he sang the song "proud to be an american" (my hubby thinks it is by Lee Greenwood, but he isn't sure) and it was beautiful!
We all talked and looked at pictures, went downstairs to see their 7 day old kittens, then outside to the barn to look at all the animals. It was a very nice day, one that we all wont forget for a very long time. We took the long way home (ended up going about 220 miles today) to check out some state campgrounds we might want to visit with our new camper next summer. It was a long day, but well worth the trip. They are a wonderful family and we all enjoyed everyone so much!
Take Care, Cathy - Love Quilts
Brent T.'s Story
written by mom Sue
Brent was born February 5th, 1989 and entered foster care due to parental and medical neglect. He spent the first 20 months of his life in a pile of dirty laundry, missing all the early nurturing and love of a family. He became our son through adoption and we have watched a child the "professionals" said would be severely mentally retarded and never independent live, grow into a teenager. Now I know teens aren't the greatest in the world! Ha ha! But they do become adults in time.
Brent has Septo Optic Dysplasia which is when the optic nerves are small and poorly developed. Instead of having over 1 million connections (nerve fibers) from each eye to the brain, people with ONH have far fewer connections. The more connections between the eye and the brain the better the vision. But Brent's case is severe, so he's totally blind. Typically people with SOD have abnormalities of the brain. These abnormalities may include how the brain is formed (brain structure) and how the brain works (brain function). While both usually occur, sometimes a child has a problem only with the structure of the brain and at other times, a child has a problem only with the function of the brain. All problems with the brain can range from mild to very serious.
The pituitary gland is found at the base of the brain and serves as the body's "master control gland" because it makes important chemicals (hormones) and directs the making of hormones in glands located in other parts of the body. These hormones are required for growth and energy control (metabolism).
Growth hormone is made in the pituitary gland and controls the growth of the bones. Lack of growth hormone causes a child to grow at a slower than normal rate. Some children who lack growth hormone also have low blood sugar.
Brent has met and surpassed all prognosis' of the doctors since his birth and their predictions. He has gone from a "20 month old newborn" to a teen with different abilities. Since he is totally blind, he sees a perfect world as he can't go "looking" for the faults that the sighted see. Brent has endured 12 years of growth hormone shots, daily medication regime for his hypothyroidism and diabetes insipidus. He has attended school and learned Braille and also can navigate with the aid of his white cane better than many with 20/20 vision.
Brent loves music!! Since he was little and we used classical music to calm him, so now he has his own CD player and has the voice of an angel! He has "performed" at Comerica Park for a baseball game singing The National Anthem, sang for Relay for Life and does numerous appearances at local nursing homes and functions. He will tell you he is a "country boy" as he loves country music but will sing anything you give him the music to. Brent is an inspiration to all that meet him and he continues to grow daily. His darkness is our light in life.
Written by Brent's mom Sue
