A Smile to Warm All Hearts
When Rylee was born, he was born with a condition called Tachypena which means his heart beats really fast, it was beating 115 beats per min and should have only been 40-60 beats per minute. We ended up staying in the NICU for 18 days. During this time Rylee learned how to control his breathing problem. We were discharged home for a quick stay. He had his follow up with his pediatrician and he was concerned that he had not gained back up his birth weight 10 lb 6 oz he was only weighing 9 lbs. We were sent back to the hospital several times for feeding difficulties. We were sent to several specialist including a Pediatric Genetics Dr. She ran several specialized test which took 8 months and we found out he has Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome. Only 600 kids in the world have this syndrome. We were entering in unknown territory by us, and by doctors because this is so rare no one has heard of it.
In the past 8 years Rylee has been though so much, but he has taught us so much about life. Rylee has never been one to ask for anything or to do anything until recently, his is becoming more vocal. Rylee has always been really shy and quiet until recently he is starting to open up his shell and let people in and to see that happen is a miracle.
We learned about Kilgore’s Kids because of Donnie Proctor. He is a project manager for a company that Rylee’s dad works with. Donnie called and stated he had heard that we have a special needs child and if he likes the outdoors we need to sign him up for this program because they make it possible for a him to hunt and fish. Going hunting has been something Rylee has been asking to do for 4 years. We have never taken him because we have never had the ability too.
We got the email that Rylee’s application was accepted and he would be able to come for a hunt. Rylee was so happy he could go hunting with his daddy. We arrived at the Kilgore’s and were greeted with open arms by Mr. David, Mrs. Sandra, Mr. Wayne. We had lunch and Mr. Clay came and Mr. Donnie. Mr David and Clay showed us the demo model of the shooting bench and let Rylee play with it to get him accustom to the knobs, and buttons to see what would be easier for Rylee to use. Mr. David was explaining to us that builds the controls for the kids to fit the child’s needs. After about an hour we went outside and it to the test and for the FIRST TIME EVER Rylee shot a gun! He was so excited he made it go “BOOM”! Then, after that Mr. David spent about an hour teaching Chloe (Rylee’s older sister) how to shoot a gun. She had never shot a gun either. Mr. David was so patient and kind teaching her the basics of a gun.
Rylee and Chloe loaded up for a hunt with Mr. Clay and Mrs. Sandra but neither one was able to get a deer. Rylee went hunting again the following Friday shot his first 6 pointer with the help of Mr. Andy, Mr.Donnie and Rylee’s dad. That smile and the joy on his face will forever be etched in my memory.
We are so blessed to have met the Kilgore’s and be accepted as family in this group.
Thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to make memories of a life time with our family. We are happy to help spread the word of Kilgore’s Kids to everyone.
