By Mark-Alan Whittle, special to the News
When the month of August comes along, I find myself reflecting on the life and times my lovely wife Laurie and I had with my disabled son Logan, who passed away in August six years ago. He would be sixteen years old this month.
When Logan was born without vital signs but revived after 20 long minutes, with cerebral palsy the result, I promised I would take care of him with everything I had. Laurie and I gave up having a fancy car or expensive vacations so that we could ensure Logan got a fair shake in life.
I fondly recall so many positive experiences — they put a smile on my face now — but in the beginning it was very hard for me to cope, as I failed to revive him (CPR) when he passed away during his daily nap time.
Little did I know that the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, mixed with clinical depression, would finally take me down for the count, but not out of the game of living life to the fullest.
The best vacation I ever took was when I received spirit-healing hospital therapy and medication that allowed me to emerge a stronger, more resilient person than what I was before, grief-stricken and paralyzed by the traumatic circumstances of Logan’s death.
Over time I have continued Logan’s legacy by helping other families in Hamilton get the services they need for their children who are challenged. Many fall through the cracks. I’m sure Logan, who I consider my Guardian Angel, would be pleased that I’m still batting a thousand, helping others in my community.
Thanks to the great work of the professionals in Hamilton’s health system, I am able to enjoy all the great memories of living and loving life with Logan. We did everything together as a family to ensure Logan got to see and feel everything the world has to offer, from singing with a killer whale at Marineland or being the cymbalist on stage with the school children at Ridgemount Elementary School, the same school I went to when I was just a boy. If you go there now you will see a red maple tree with a granite plaque, with a laser etched picture Logan, to commemorate his time in school, he made a difference to everyone he met, that’s for sure.
Mark-Alan Whittle is a Mountain resident. If you would like to write in this space, call editor Gord Bowes at 905-664-8800 ext. 335 to discuss.
When the month of August comes along, I find myself reflecting on the life and times my lovely wife Laurie and I had with my disabled son Logan, who passed away in August six years ago. He would be sixteen years old this month.
When Logan was born without vital signs but revived after 20 long minutes, with cerebral palsy the result, I promised I would take care of him with everything I had. Laurie and I gave up having a fancy car or expensive vacations so that we could ensure Logan got a fair shake in life.
I fondly recall so many positive experiences — they put a smile on my face now — but in the beginning it was very hard for me to cope, as I failed to revive him (CPR) when he passed away during his daily nap time.
Little did I know that the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, mixed with clinical depression, would finally take me down for the count, but not out of the game of living life to the fullest.
The best vacation I ever took was when I received spirit-healing hospital therapy and medication that allowed me to emerge a stronger, more resilient person than what I was before, grief-stricken and paralyzed by the traumatic circumstances of Logan’s death.
Over time I have continued Logan’s legacy by helping other families in Hamilton get the services they need for their children who are challenged. Many fall through the cracks. I’m sure Logan, who I consider my Guardian Angel, would be pleased that I’m still batting a thousand, helping others in my community.
Thanks to the great work of the professionals in Hamilton’s health system, I am able to enjoy all the great memories of living and loving life with Logan. We did everything together as a family to ensure Logan got to see and feel everything the world has to offer, from singing with a killer whale at Marineland or being the cymbalist on stage with the school children at Ridgemount Elementary School, the same school I went to when I was just a boy. If you go there now you will see a red maple tree with a granite plaque, with a laser etched picture Logan, to commemorate his time in school, he made a difference to everyone he met, that’s for sure.
Mark-Alan Whittle is a Mountain resident. If you would like to write in this space, call editor Gord Bowes at 905-664-8800 ext. 335 to discuss.
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