My name is Dominik James Roby. I was born on January 6th, 2011. I was born at 4lbs 6oz ad 16 3/4" long. I spent 6 weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I had a feeding tube, and am still on oxygen. I was given an MRI of my brain when I was four weeks old. The Doctors told my parents that I have severe brain damage. When my dad looked at my MRI, he was able to see that the top half of my brain (both lobes) really didn't develop. So what happened as best as they can tell is that at some point during my growth inside mommy, is that something happened that cut off or restricted the blood flow while my brain was developing. So instead of the white matter that typically fills the brain, mine just filled with fluid. My mommy & daddy are excited because my brain stem, cerebelum, and post mid brain are areas that DID develop and are looking pretty good. This means that I will be able to express myself and have a great personality! I can't wait to get to know my parents! I went home weighing over 7lbs, and just over 19" long.
Today I am 2 years old. I am still very tiny, weighing in at a whopping 17 pounds and 28 inches long! I am still wearing 9 month clothes, but growing at a slow consistant rate!
My hearing is continuing to improve. I have 2 hearing aids, but mommy and daddy notice that without them I respond to many sounds, especially music, my sisters and my daddy! My eyes are getting better too. We just got glasses and I hope to be able to focus on things that are a little farther away! I love to play with my toys and I love to make music! I am a wonderful singer!
I am doing a lot of moving and wiggling. My therapists are very happy with what I am doing, so I just keep doing my best to learn and grow!
I feel an amazing power that is carrying me through each day. My daddy keeps whispering to me that there are armies of prayer warriors talking to God and asking for help for me. I may be small and not able to do lots of things, but I can certainly feel the Power of God already!! I am not sure what His plans are for me, but I know that with His help, I will be able to do AMAZING things, and touch countless lives showing His love!
Thank you all for your prayer support! It means so much to me and to my family!
May God Richly Bless You!
- Dominik James Roby