Viggo had a prenatal diagnosis of Trisomy 21 (the most common form of Down syndrome). At ten hours old, he was diagnosed with imperforate anus/anorectal-malformation, and underwent surgery for testicular torsion. At 48 hours old, he underwent surgery for a colostomy.

When Viggo was three months old, he was diagnosed with laryngomalacia (soft larynx) and tracheomalacia (collapse of the trachea) and was placed on oxygen 24/7. A sleep study confirmed obstructive and central sleep apnea. He’s been using a BiPap machine to help him breathe at night ever since. A swallow study confirmed dysphagia, and all of his liquids must be thickened to prevent aspiration and pneumonia, which could easily prove fatal with his respiratory sicknesses. Another surgery when he was five months old created his anus, and four months later he had surgery to close his colostomy.

After months of battling chronic constipation and severe skin breakdown, we sought the help of a colorectal specialists in Washington, D.C., where he had a revision surgery to correctly place his anus within his sphincter. We also traveled several hours from home to flush his colon daily. He’s been to Washington, D.C. three times to complete testing, surgery and check his recovery. He’ll go once a year for the rest of his life to manage his condition.