Our Journey: Healing, Eco-Friendly Living, and Resilience
Life had a cruel card to play—one we never saw coming.
Everything began when I was 14 weeks pregnant, and we received the life-changing news: our son had Down syndrome. From that moment, we embarked on a new normal. One of the first things I did was evaluate my diet, ensuring I provided high-density nutrition for my baby inside the womb. I became intensely aware of the importance of what I consumed—not just for my health, but for Tommy’s development. This journey led me to a greater understanding of holistic well-being, sustainability, and the impact of our choices on both our bodies and the environment.
When Tommy was born, he was a big, strong baby. He didn’t even look like a newborn—more like a one-month-old. He was active, alert, and began crushing milestones at an incredible pace. We were overjoyed, sharing his progress and embracing every moment. But then, everything changed.
The Setback That Altered Everything
Tommy’s regressions began after he was fully sedated during a hospitalization in 2011. He was 32 months old. I have requested his full list of medications twice, and each time, the name of the sedative he was given has been missing. But recently, a memory resurfaced—one that my mind had buried deep to protect me from the pain. A nurse telling me that sedation was necessary, that they would administer some medications. And I remember one name now: Morphine.
I’ve since looked into how morphine affects patients with respiratory issues. The science explains its use:
Morphine reduces respiratory rate and prolongs expiration time, improving inspiratory capacity and gas exchange… but it also reduces dyspnea.
I understand the science. But understanding doesn’t erase the pain. It doesn’t undo the heartbreak of watching my child lose skills he once had. It doesn’t bring back what was taken from him.
Could Tommy’s Regression Be Related?
Since Tommy lost his ability to sit and walk immediately during the hospitalization, there’s a strong possibility that encephalopathy occurred while he was in the hospital—whether from:
Sedation & respiratory suppression (hypoxia from morphine or other drugs).
An immune or metabolic reaction to the infection or medications.
A mitochondrial crisis triggered by the hospitalization.
This pain—this grief—is something I have not fully healed from. Maybe I never will. But I have learned to live with it.
From Grief to Purpose: A Journey Toward Sustainability
Tommy’s health challenges forced me to look deeper—not only at medical interventions but at the world around us. If what I put into my body during pregnancy mattered, then what I brought into our home mattered too. The more I learned about environmental toxins, food quality, and sustainable living, the more I realized how much our world is inundated with harmful substances.
This realization pushed me toward an eco-conscious lifestyle. I started questioning everything—from the food we eat to the materials in our home, the products we use, and the impact our choices have on future generations. Tommy’s journey opened my eyes to the necessity of sustainability, not as a trend, but as a responsibility.
Why I Share Our Story
I share Tommy’s story not for pity, but for awareness. For connection. For the parents walking a similar path who feel alone. Tommy’s story is one of struggle, but it’s also one of resilience. He keeps going, and so do we.
Thank you for being here. For listening. For remembering. For walking the Route T21 with us.
