Champion of the Month: Patton
Likes: pizza, French fries, video games and being outside
Dislikes: fruits, vegetables and meat
Therapies received: Feeding Therapy
United States General George Patton was known for his charismatic personality and fighting spirit. It’s probably no surprise that Better2gether’s Champion of the Month, 4-year-old Patton – a child of a local military family who was named after the famous General – shares a similar reputation.
Although young Patton was diagnosed as an infant with Cystic Fibrosis, a multi-system disease that affects the lungs, pancreas and other organs, he doesn’t let it define him. “Patton is full of life,” shares his mom, Erica. “He is full of personality and nothing gets in his way.”
Each morning, Patton starts the day with breathing treatments and chest percussion therapy to relieve mucous obstruction and reduce the risk of infection and inflammation in the airways. He ends his days with similar therapies. “He makes the most of what is in the middle,” says Erica. “We love his fighting spirit. He lives life to the fullest every single day.”
During Patton’s intensive and time-consuming daily therapies, he stays relaxed and entertained with the help of a Kindle Fire – which was given to him as part of the Better2gether Better Bag. The B2G Better Bag is provided to every Better2gether child. Each bag contains age-relevant toys and games to help keep children entertained during long treatments and frequent doctor visits.
Because Cystic Fibrosis also impacts the digestive system, Patton has a hard time digesting fats on his own. “To aid in digestion, Patton takes 4-6 digestive capsules with every meal and snack,” Erica explains. “Yes, that adds up to at least 30 capsules (of just one of his medications) a day!” Patton is described by his mom as a picky eater. “But he has proven to his parents that he can sustain on pizza, French fries and chocolate,” she laughingly shares. “Just like any 4-year-old boy, he beats to his own drum.”
Whether he’s busy playing sports or video games, Patton has two older cheerleaders by his side. His 13-year-old sister, Ashlyn, not only plays with him but helps the family care for Patton’s complex medical regimen. “She can give enzymes after snacks and meals, and can help him do his daily breathing treatments,” Erica explains. “Even with their big age gap, they have found a perfect fit. She plays a very big role in his life.”
His seven-year-old sister, Presley, also spends a lot of time with Patton. “She loves being the best friend of her younger brother…most of the time,” Erica jokingly shares. “They have a typical brother-sister relationship. They do everything together.”
As the Covid-19 pandemic raged on last year, families of children with medically complex illnesses had to be especially cautious. Patton and his family were grateful to participate in many of the outdoor, socially distanced get-togethers and events hosted by Better2gether last summer, which many families indicated were opportunities they couldn’t find elsewhere. “When ‘Covid life’ seemed to have moved on for other families, these events gave us time to interact with other medically fragile families like ours,” Erica shares.
Better2gether is excited to plan a range of additional outdoor activities this summer, so children like Patton and his family can continue to connect with other families and simply have fun!
