Photo Essay

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Chance Finley By: Brittney Asbury English 104 Section 041 Mrs. Rachel Burke April 26, 2011

Transcript of Photo Essay

Chance Finley

By: Brittney Asbury

English 104 Section 041

Mrs. Rachel Burke

April 26, 2011

My cousin, Chance Finley

Odum was born on November

25, 2008. He was born to my

uncle and aunt: Philip and Dee

Odum, and loving older sisters

Lexie and Lillie. Dee’s

pregnancy was a normal

pregnancy throughout. Little

did we know Finn would be

born with Pierre Robin

Syndrome (PRS). PRS is a

birth defect that involves the

lower jaw being sized too small

or set back from the upper jaw.

As a result, the tongue is

usually tilted back towards the

throat, where it can fall back

and obstruct the airway. Most

infants will also have a cleft

palate. There is a wide range

of severity in problems that can

occur with this defect. This

picture is of newborn Finn with

Unfortunately, Finn has one of the most

severe cases. His lower jaw was hardly

developed at all when he was born, which

caused his tongue to lie at the top of his

throat during pregnancy, also causing a

cleft palate. His tongue lying at the back of

his throat cut off his airway. Finn had a jaw

distraction surgery when he was only a

week old, this is a step that doctors take

only if the child can't breath on their own or

if they know their jaw won’t grow on its own

later in life; for Finn they both were the

case. This picture reflects the first time

Dee was able to hold her baby boy, a

whole day after he was born.

His surgery left him with two metal inserts that stuck out right above

his ears that were turned for 20 days, which made a gap in his

lower jaw for new bone to form. Doctors then let it "sit" for three

months. This picture was taken the day before the doctors removed

the inserts.

But, don’t believe for a second that his

condition stopped his family from loving

on him. His family surrounded him with

support and love. This picture of Finn and

myself was captured during a family get-

together a few months after he was born. He

eventually fell asleep while I sang him a

nursery rhyme.

He has a hole close to his belly button that is called a g-tube that

was put in when he was only four months old. It allows formula to

be inserted directly into his stomach because he was not born with

the sucking reflex. He is at a constant struggle with gaining

weight, which puts him in the hospital more frequently than

anything. Ear infections are also common in this type of defect,

Finn had tubes put in his ears when he was eleven months old

due to this. This picture was Finn’s first time being fed through the

g-tube. He currently at age two is still being fed twice a day

through the tube because he struggles gaining weight otherwise.

So, does PRS slow Finn down? That is out of the

question for this little guy. Finn loves to play outside,

and would play all day if Mom and Dad would let

him. This picture was taken in the backyard of his

house in Brownsburg, IN.

Finn has two older sisters: Lexie and Lillie. They like to serve as Finn’s

guardians, being very protective over their little brother. Finn knows he

has his sisters wrapped around his finger.

I guess you could call them two peas in a pod. Finn and his dad share

a special father and son bond. They don’t just look alike, they also act

alike. Finn is the son that Philip prayed for. This picture was taken on a

hayride before searching for pumpkins to take home.

Finn is enjoying his

childhood just as much as

the normal developing child.

I would venture to say that

he is more appreciative of

his time doing fun activities

because of his times spent

at the doctors office or in the

hospital. You can see that

genuine smile as he is about

to receive his birthday cake

on his first birthday.

There are times, though, when the fun is put

on hold for a doctors visit, hospital trip, or visit

from the therapist. For Finn, this is routine,

when it normally isn’t for children. Finn’s

weight is frequently monitored. In this picture

Finn is playing in Mom’s purse, waiting to see

the doctor in his hospital gown. It causes

stress on the family, always wondering if he

will have to be admitted, or if he will be able to

come home.

Through all of the hardships, Finn lets the good times roll. He is a

very content little boy with plenty of energy and personality. You

can always plan on having a good time with him, and would never

guess that he has been through so much. The picture below

shows his interesting character.

Finn is the average toddler. He

enjoys doing things his way, and is

always up for an adventure or a

laugh. This picture was taken on

Christmas when he just couldn’t

wait for his new four wheeler to get

done charging on top of the toy

box. Mom and Dad said no, but he

decided his way was a better idea.

I believe Finn’s battles will

only make him a stronger

person. Him and his family

have taken his

circumstances and made

the very best out of them.

He makes the best out of

the life he has been given.

Someday he will will make

significant contributions to

society. Here, Finn is

showing his patriotism at a

very young age at a fourth

of July parade.

I can’t imagine my uncle and aunt having any other child. He is a

vital part of the family, and not to mention a miracle child.