CHARGE syndrome is a recognizable (genetic) pattern of birth defects which occurs in about one in every 9-10,000 births worldwide. It is an extremely complex syndrome, involving extensive medical and physical difficulties that differ from child to child. The vast majority of the time, there is no history of CHARGE syndrome or any other similar conditions in the family. Babies with CHARGE syndrome are often born with life-threatening birth defects, including complex heart defects and breathing problems. They spend many months in the hospital and undergo many surgeries and other treatments. Swallowing and breathing problems make life difficult even when they come home. Most have hearing loss, vision loss, and balance problems which delay their development and communication. All are likely to require medical and educational intervention for many years. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, children with CHARGE syndrome often far surpass their medical, physical, educational, and social expectations.

Christian has had 3 major heart surgeries to date, along with surgeries to put in a G-Tube for feeding, ear tubes, a nissen to help him with his reflux, fix his undescended testes and to repair his cleft lip and cleft pallete to name a few.

Christian has some vision and is deaf in one ear and almost deaf in the other. He currently wears a BAHA hearing aid device (bone conduction) while awaiting to get a Cochlear implant for the other ear.. He needs time to recover first from his last open heart Surgery at the end of September 2008. He was in intensive care for 2 months.

We appreciate all your prayers and thoughts.

 Here are a few links;
CHARGE Syndrome
Christian's Pictures on Flickr

Christian's Videos on Youtube 
Childrens' Signing Website
Christian's CHARGE Donation page, PLEASE DONATE
Email my daddy