Lost a great kid last night...

[Dutch]

My nephew, Mikey, aged 14, passed away last night in Tucson, AZ. He suffered with severe medical issues that put him in and out of the hospital on an almost routine basis since birth. Those issues (primarily intestinal) were degenerative and it finally caught up with him. He had cerebral palsy and autism... but he knew everyday of his life that he was a great kid. And like parents of any special needs children, my sister (who I never would have guessed was the kind of woman that would know how to handle this situation) endured tremendous amounts of personal sacrifice while she worked her ass off for him and went above and beyond what all of us assume would be our responsibilities when we have a child. In the end though, she would do it all again in a heartbeat because Mikey was quite simply a wonderful human being.

If you know anybody who is taking care of a child or children with special needs, just let them know how awesome they are. They prove there are additional reservoirs of great love, strength and resolve hidden inside all of us.

If you wouldn't mind sending thoughts/prayers Mikey's way, I know he'd appreciate it.

[DaddyTorgo]

Sorry Dutch. My condolences.

[spleen1015]

Sorry for your lose, man. Sounds like your sister was the right mom for Mikey.

Best wishes to you and your family.

[CleBrownsfan]

This really touches home for me.

As a new parent of a special needs child, I feel your sisters' emotions and sacrifices - I know there will be a ton of high and low moments with our Henry.

My thoughts are with you and your family - I can't imagine losing your child :( MikeD, your sister will now have a lifetime angle to looks after her. RIP Mikey...

[McLovin]

Sorry for your loss MikeD. A special prayer for Mikey.

[cuervo72]

Sorry Dutch, condolences to you and your family. You sister sounds like a heck of a mom, and Mikey sounds like he was a heck of a kid.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Sincere condolences, thoughts & prayers with your family.

[Kodos]

Very sorry to learn of your family's loss. Sounds like Mikey was a special kid. Stuff like this shouldn't happen, especially to children. My sincere condolences.

[saldana]

so sorry for your loss...mikey will be in my prayers

[PackerFanatic]

Thoughts and prayers, Mike.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Very sorry for your loss. It really sucks, especially when it's a child.

I lost my five year old nephew just over two years ago. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him. There are just some wounds that time will never fully heal.

[Matthean]

We have a number of special needs kids at my church, and I can't imagine what it is like for those parents.

[MizzouRah]

Thoughts and prayers :(

[Sweed]

Sorry to hear of your family's loss. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.

[corbes]

Sorry, Mike. My thoughts and prayers with your family and most of all with Mikey.

[Icy]

So sorry to read, best wishes to you and your family, Mikey is in my thoughts.

[BillJasper]

Mikey, his parents and those that loved him are in my thoughts today. :(

I count myself lucky every single day that we had three kids who are all relatively healthy.

[Lathum]

ugh, sorry to hear, I can't even imagine your families pain, they will be in my prayers

[Castlerock]

So sorry. You, Mikey and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[kingfc22]

So sorry Mike. My condolences.

[digamma]

Sorry Dutch, condolences to you and your family. You sister sounds like a heck of a mom, and Mikey sounds like he was a heck of a kid.

Can't really say it better than this. Glad you were able to spend the time with him you did.

[Chief Rum]

He'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Sounds like a great kid.

[Solecismic]

I'm sorry for your loss. So many kids have to deal with so much, yet they have this way of expressing joy when they're happy that reminds you of what life's really about.

[Bad-example]

Damn. Sincere condolences in this rough time for you and yours.

[TroyF]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

[BYU 14]

So sorry for your loss Mike, thoughts and prayers to you and your entire family.

[Dutch]

Thanks. ...and now I get the relevance of posting these types of messages. Its nice to read the replies.

[MIJB#19]

My condolences, Mike. :(

[Edward64]

Sorry to hear.

My wife is a public school special ed teacher. She is special to be able to care for the kids ... I know your sister is too.

[miami_fan]

My condolences, Dutch