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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.