Through The Eyes of Jesus: Happy Birthday Jackie!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Happy Birthday Jackie!

Tonight we celebrated Jackie's birthday. Jackie is AJ's service dog in training. She is one year old and next week will graduate from her first formal obedience class. She and AJ have a lot of fun together (sometimes too much) and we wanted to share our celebration with you. AJ was still not feeling the best but he enjoyed eating a little bit of cake. Jackie had doggy peanut butter ice cream treats. She wasn't too sure what to think of the cake and candle (she actually hid under the couch for a while) but AJ had fun blowing the candle out.

Happy Birthday Jackie!

Barbara and AJ

No comments:

Post a Comment

What is Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa?

It is a rare genetic disorder that causes AJ's skin to blister and tear with the slightest friction or contact. He can have severe blistering anywhere on his skin. Internally his mucus membranes and organs are affected. Due to blisters in his mouth and throat, he eats very little by mouth and receives his primary nutrition through a gastrostomy-jejunostomy tube (G-J) that is placed in his stomach and small intestine. He struggles with breathing at times as blisters form in his mouth, throat and upper airway. There is no cure for EB. AJ will live with constant pain and scarring. With each tear to his skin, the skin scars and eventually limits his movement. His fingers and hands will begin to fuse and curl together. The only treatment for EB is daily wound care and bandaging. Each day we unwrap his body, bathe him, treat his open wounds and then wrap him up all over again. AJ has many medical providers that help us with his care. He has a power chair that he uses in the community to reduce the friction on his feet. He also takes many medications to reduce the acid reflux that damages his esophagus and to help with the intense itching that EB creates. Children that do not succumb to infection, malnutrition or airway complications develop an aggressive form of skin cancer in their teen years. Children with AJ’s disorder are often referred to as, “Butterfly Children” as their skin is as fragile as a butterfly’s wing.