John - Quilt Finished in 2001

Born: December 3, 1990

Illness: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T)

A Special Thank You From John's Family!

IT IS AWESOME AS MY husband said:)  JOHN GRINNED the whole time.  It is wonderful..he was speechless!!!!  GREAT AWESOME JOB!!!!

THANKS

Julie and John

John's Story

written by mom Julie

John was our first child and born on his dad's 25th birthday. On February 14th 1992, at the age of 14 months, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. He went into remission immediately and after 3 years of treatment was declared "cured"; however, there was a problem... his balance was off.

We looked for answers for 5 years and then at age 6 we found out he had Ataxia Telangiectasia. This disease is genetic, had caused the cancer, and would take his life. There is no treatment or cure for AT.

John is a typical teen in many ways :) He's in 10th grade, he loves to fish, watch movies and of course, video games. He's witty, kind, smart, handsome, and honest to a fault. In 2000, at Make-A-Wish Camp he was KING of Camp so now we call him King John. John was the winner of Gaylord Entertainment's "Making a Difference Award" and a recipient of a WONDERFUL quilt from the "Love Quilts" website. He recently recited "The Creed" for FFA at school, we were so proud :) He won an award for "bravery" :) John is sooooo special and lovable, he touches everyone who meets him, truly a hero.

John uses a wheelchair and people have a difficult time seeing him despite it. He has no close friends, just kids at school that say hello. His brother, Tom, has Autism and is very sweet and well behaved. Phoebe is his lapdog, she travels with us and helps "break the ice". She is devoted to him and comes for me if he needs me.

We recently moved to a home on Old Hickory Lake (remember President Andrew Jackson?) he can fish and Tom can play at the beach. John's new school has been wonderful and Tom's is going well too.