Linda Sprague Pappas

The Perfect Child for Us Linda Sprague Pappas

This newborn may die. That's what the doctors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Duke Children's Hospital implied. Caden, a beautiful baby boy, was born with something seriously wrong. A normal pregnancy followed by a normal birth unexpectedly led to a questionable survival prognosis. Extensive medical testing eventually revealed a rare genetic muscular disorder, Congenital Fiber Type Disproportion, caused by a mutation and deletion on the RYR-1 gene. In this inspirational memoir, Caden's grandmother describes the days, weeks, and months that follow this devastating diagnosis. Regardless of the outcome, the family commits to facing Caden's uncertain future with faith, hope, love, and courage. Sometimes they will falter; nevertheless, through every challenge, disappointment, and accomplishment, they firmly believe that Caden is "the perfect child for us."