A sick Cub Scout needs are prayers...

[insanescouter]

This was posted on a Scouting mailing list I am on, and being reposted here with permission... every time I re-read it, it brings tears to my eyes... If you would like to pass on any messages send an email to Cindy, the boys Den Leader, at mouseshouse@comcast.net

 

Scott Robertson

http://insanescouter.org

 

> I mentioned this before, but we have gotten a final diagnosis on the 7

> year old boy in my den. His name is Matt, and he was adopted 7 years

> ago by a wonderful family. They had tried to adopt for 9 years before

> getting the call that they had gotten Matt. He passed out in July and

> stopped breathing. He was flown from Hawaii (parents were on their

> 25th anniversary) to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He has been

> undergoing a lot of tests and they have finally diagnosed his

> problem. It is ALD (adrenoleukodystrophy).

>

> This is a HORRIBLE fatal disease. He has already started losing his

> eyesight (he is almost blind) and is starting to have trouble hearing

> and walking. The doctors have given him anywhere from 6 months to 2

> years. There is NO treatment once symptoms occur. Some of you may

> have seen a movie around 1997 called LORENZO'S OIL. This is the

> disease this little boy has been diagnosed with. Once the symptoms

> occur, they progress quickly. This disease basically kills the brain

> one section at time. The really bad thing is that it starts showing

> up between the ages of 4 and 10 in boys.

> It is genetic and the parents were unaware of the problem (because he

> is adopted).

>

> In less than 1 month, this little boy has went from being one of my

> most active scouts to one who can hardly see or get around. His father

> is keeping him in my den as long as he can. He wants the boys

> to continue in Matt's life until it is uncomfortable for him.

>

> What I am asking is for you all to keep him in your prayers and to

> look at your children and give them a little bigger hug than normal.

>

> These parents are going thru HELL right now and they need all the

> support they can get. The father is a police officer, a fire fighter,

> and my assistant den leader. His mother is now staying home with him

> to spend as much time as they have together.

>

> Cindy