Jalen Amari Julian Scott
December 3, 2007 - October 17, 2011
My pregnancy with Jalen was picture perfect… no morning sickness, baby appeared to be healthy and doing well throughout and my 20 week ultrasound was fine. At 38 weeks the doctor thought Jalen might be getting too big and schedule an ultrasound to determine if we should induce the pregnancy because of his size. The ultrasound showed minimal amniotic fluid and low fetal heart tones. We were sent to St. John’s to have a c-section. At 8:06PM on December 3, 2007 Jalen was born.
We knew something was wrong immediately after he was born because he didn’t cry and he wasn’t breathing correctly. He was rushed to the NICU for further testing. An MRI showed that Jalen’s brain was lacking white matter and his brain stem was significantly smaller than it should be. We spent two months at St. John’s and eventually were sent home because the insurance company decided there was nothing more they could do. Five hours after being home, Jalen went into cardiac arrest and was brought to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Jalen suffered even more brain trauma from having gone into cardiac arrest and going without oxygen for some time. After numerous medical tests and genetic testing, there is no known cause for Jalen’s condition and we never received a diagnosis. Jalen puzzled his doctors and the medical community. They told us he wouldn't survive more than six months.... we were blessed with him for three and a half years.
I knew Jalen was special and that his life was going to inspire and teach so many. Everyone that met him instantly fell in love with him. Because of his fragile medical condition, he was homebound and received nursing care approximately 20 hours a day. He was extremely developmentally delayed and never walked or talked but he knew the people who loved him. He loved snuggling and being read stories and he especially loved it when his cousins and sisters visited him! I was passionate about keeping Jalen at home with us and as comfortable as possible. He liked being at home in a familiar environment surrounded by those that loved and cared for him. He was the love of my life and I'm so so grateful for every day I had with him.
After 3 1/2 years my miracle baby boy peacefully passed away on October 17, 2011. Jalen would have turned 10 years old on December 3rd of this year. Although my heart is broken without him, I can get some comfort in looking back at all of the wonderful memories I made with him and continue to keep his memory alive through Jalen's Book Drive.
Oct. 17th will be 1 year since my grandson, Jalen passed away at the age of 3. Our hearts will always ache for our little guy, but we will always cherish the days we did have with him. All of my trips to St. Louis, over 60,000 miles in those 3 years were worth every ounce of gas it took and every moment I was able to hold him will be cherished forever. I think every trip, I brought him a new book. It seemed to be exciting to read him a new story and see his reactions to some stories. Over and over we would read the stories. My daughter, Susan, has now begun “Jalen’s Book Drive” to give other critically ill children that same happiness. Books are to be delivered to the children’s hospital on his birthday, Dec. 3rd This is the link that you can go to get more info on Jalen’s story. http://www.jalensbookdrive.blogspot.com/p/jalens-story.html
ReplyDeleteI have a drop box at my business, Abacus Tax Service, in Spring Valley right by the mailbox on the west side. Or feel free to drop off during regular business hours. Thanks to all who would like to donate a book.
Vickie Claggett
My daughter Agnes (Aggie), who was born with a chromosomal microdeletion last year, received a book from Jalen's book drive. She, too, loves books and we are grateful for the gift. Jalen looks like a beautiful and lucky little boy. Thank you for sharing him with us through this blog spot. My family extends our very best wishes to your family for the new year.
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