Information
Name James H. Johnson IV
Born Jan 1998
Gender Male
Diagnosis Distal Trisomy 10q
Parents James and Rachel Johnson
City Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Email johnson_iii_james [at] bah [dot] com
Jump to story. Click photos to enlarge.

Age 11 months

2001

2007


August 2, 1999
My son, James H. Johnson IV, 18 months was born in January of 1998. He was approximately 5 lbs. 7 oz. The doctors thought that he may have downs. The test came back negative. We were a little worried around 5 months because his growth was very slow and his metabolism was extremely high, he would sweat very easily, so we kept him cool. Our pediatrician decided to submit him to a neurologist, the neurologist said that his brain was still growing, but at his pace and to treat him like any other normal child. When he was a year old the pediatrician requested he see a genetic doctor and that's when we found out he has Partial Trisomy 10q. James is one of the cutest babies in the universe (parent talk), so nobody could tell he had a disorder, only that he was not growing or walking according to the charts. Well, he is 18 months and he is crawling, cruising and climbing. He only has two teeth, but we feel the top teeth starting to push through. Everyone who sees him fall in love with his happy spirit, he has a ton of women wanting to watch him at the church nursery. Currently, he weighs about 19 pounds and is still kind of short. When he was born he had a skin tag on his foot, so we got that operated on. He has sensitive skin, the skin doctor diagnosed it "Eczema". I have asthma, so that could be the reason for his eczema. He is not talking yet, but he makes a lot of sounds. We are planning to enroll him in speech therapy. He is considered our little underdog, I see him as a little mighty mouse. Anyway, we give our blessings to all the parents who's child or children are affected with this blessing. This blessing really works for the parents who view the glass half full, not half empty.

Update: Aug 16, 2007
Just wanted to let you know that James is in the 3rd Grade in a special needs program at Mountain View Elementary in Gainesville, VA. As you can see he has a little brother and I am now a single dad with both of them.

Just wanted to let you know that James is in the 3rd Grade in a special needs program at Mountain View Elementary in Gainesville, VA. As you can see he has a little brother and I am now a single dad with both of them.

James can read, but his phonics is a bit distorted. Also, he implements with the "non-special" children for half-day. He is a social butterfly and the teacher mentioned that it is not totally a bad thing, but he distracts the 3rd and 5th Graders during his walk to drop off papers to the office. They all love him. Well, I talk to him about that, but that is a good thing. He is extremely lovable and friendly.

James H. Johnson III