Sutton is two years old and from day one he has always kept us on our toes. Sutton was born with a brain injury due to a lack of oxygen to the brain. While in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), doctors said he had suffered major damage to the brain. 

I was eighteen at the time. As a single teen mom and being my first pregnancy, I was especially terrified to hear that there was something wrong with my newborn and that he may not live. After two weeks of Sutton not displaying brain activity, my family and I were given time to grieve.  The staff at the hospital told us that we should say our final goodbyes to Sutton. 

With my heart absolutely shattered, I stayed with Sutton throughout the night. Sutton shocked us all the next day, when he finally started displaying brain activity and woke up. Doctors had no explanation; they just said Sutton was a miracle. I was relieved and very happy to hear that I would be able to leave the hospital with my baby. 

Five months after Sutton left the NICU, we had our first appointment with a neurologist. He diagnosed Sutton with mild spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. For those of who do not know, cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affects one’s ability to move, as maintaining balance and posture is difficult. 

Sutton is currently wheelchair bound to assist him with movement. However, he has been training in a walker, and we hope he will eventually go to simple crutches for support. We are so proud of Sutton and his accomplishments. His cerebral palsy diagnosis certainly does not define who he is, as Sutton is a spunky and sweet soul. He loves music and having his picture taken. Sutton constantly smiles and exudes happiness. He is certainly our little superhero.