NORTH CAROLINA – “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow,” wrote Mary Anne Radmacher in her book, “Courage Doesn’t Always Roar.” This was also the quote printed on paper and placed next to Corbin Alfred McHenry – or Baby Corbin – at 119 days old.
Baby Corbin was born prematurely on April 4, 2013 and doctors told his parents to prepare for the worst; it had been discovered during mother Kara McHenry’s pregnancy Baby Corbin had a chromosomal condition known as Trisomy 13. Baby Corbin’s mother is a Unadilla Valley Central School alum, and her child was delivered via emergency cesarian section eight weeks prior to full gestation, given a one percent chance to be born breathing. Doctors informed Kara and Shane McHenry they would have very few moments with their baby, as his medical issues were severe.
Against all odds - Baby Corbin continues the fight each day and has surpassed 100 days on Earth.
A photo is taken of Baby Corbin daily and placed next to him, as is an inspirational quote or short poem that is colorful and decorated. His journeys thus far have been documented by his family members and people across the globe have taken notice of Baby Corbin and his struggles and successes.
On July 28, Baby Corbin weighed in at eight pounds, one ounce and took his first bath in a bathtub - something his mother said he loved every second of. This was also the day Baby Corbin was able to go outside for the first time in his life - at 115 days old.
His mother wrote about the experience, “You slept through most of it but for the few periods you were I saw a selfless boy, appreciating the world as he knows it and everything beautiful in that world. You know no hate, no negativity, nothing cruel and now you feel no pain. You only know love, kindness, warmth, and now the feeling of the sun and breeze hitting your face. The only feelings a child should ever know.”
As of right now, Baby Corbin will be on a trach and a vent, according to his mother. A child’s throat does not stop maturing until two years, therefore re-evaluation will be done at that juncture for possible surgeries.
Baby Corbin and his parents are currently getting his medical treatment in North Carolina, after transferring from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The family relocated to NC after Baby Corbin’s condition allowed the transfer and because his father, Shane, is there for military placement. The state of North Carolina requires a child to weigh 11 pounds before being discharged on a ventilator, but once he reaches that weight and his parents have the proper training to care for him at home, Baby Corbin will finally go home.
Baby Corbin even has a bucket list; a list of things his parents hope he can accomplish during his time here. Some of the items on the list include: Go to the zoo, be in the media/on TV, fly on a plane (done), go to the beach, travel to another state (done), eat by mouth, say a word, meet someone famous, go to Disney World, go to school for a day, have something named after you - i.e. a street sign, and discover your life’s purpose.
Just this week Baby Corbin has been experiencing some medical issues and on August 1 he began to have some troubles breathing. This was directly related to his enlarged stomach, noticed by his doctors. His stomach is taking up room, not allowing his lungs to expand; hence the breathing issues. He was transferred back to the PICU and was placed back onto a conventional ventilator, as compared to the ventilator that would be used when he goes home, that he has been on. Baby Corbin’s mother is optimistic, stating the doctors were first talking about heart failure and surgery, but later concluded it was an infection to be treated with antibiotics.
Kara stated Baby Corbin has remained positive through the recent hardships, and has been awake and alert throughout the transition process back to the PICU.
It was also discovered on Wednesday that Baby Corbin’s doctors noticed a couple of bone fractures while performing an X-ray of his stomach. His femur was found to be fractured, yet doctors believe it to be an old break that is healing. His shoulder also has a minor fracture. His bones did not fully ossify, or harden, in utero, therefore they break easily. Based on heart rate and other factors used by doctors to determine pain management, it seems as though Baby Corbin is not experiencing pain due to the fractures. Doctors are also administering supplemental calcium to help strengthen his bones.
Since the move back to the PICU, Baby Corbin has been examined and switched around with equipment, but is now stable and peaceful. His parents hope his stay in the PICU is not an extended one, and that he will be well enough to go back to the Transfer Care Unit as soon as his health permits. The TCU is the last stop before a baby can go home.
Wednesday’s birthday sign next to a sleeping Baby Corbin read, “I am grateful to know that I am a work in progress. And God is not finished with me yet.”
Baby Corbin’s mother updates more than 20,000 people all over the world on a daily basis on the progress he has made and continues to make throughout his journey.
Team Corbin t-shirts were made, and more than 215 were sold. A Give Forward campaign has been created, and more than $3,600 has been donated to Team Corbin by more than 100 people. The monetary goal for the campaign for Team Corbin is $10,000 in the next 46 days.
On Baby Corbin’s 100th day of life he laid content, with two blue balloons near him and a sign reading, “Take pride in how far you have come, and have faith in how far you can go.”
The McHenry’s have overcome many hardships and struggles throughout not only the past 119 days of Baby Corbin’s life, but also the weeks leading up to his birth after the Trisomy 13 diagnosis. The family has remained positive and optimistic, and looks forward to bringing Baby Corbin home when he is well enough.
A website has been developed for those interested in following the progress of Baby Corbin, teambabycorbin.com. His progress can also be tracked at facebook.com/teambabycorbin. Donations to the family can be made at giveforward.com/fundraiser/bzp2/team-corbin.