​Austin's Story.

​Austin is a loving 8 year old boy with the best sense of humor! He developed typically and hit all of his milestones until about 12 months old. On his first birthday he was just starting to walk, taking 6 or 7 steps at a time. Over the next few months, he reverted back to crawling and needing help to stand or take steps. At 15 months we were referred to our first neurologist. It  took 5 years and visits to 5 hospital systems all over the U.S.  to get a diagnosis. Austin has an extremely rare disease that does not have a cure and will continue to worsen over time. The last few years have been full of every possible emotion for our family. Devastated that he may never walk, guilt that we have it easy compared to others in more difficult situations, mourning for the vision we had of his childhood, and also so very grateful for the abilities he has now. He is an incredible kid and we are lucky he is ours.