Suzy Brewer, cares for her son William who was diagnosed with Treacher Collins syndrome from birth. A mountain of care and appointments beyond the attention of a mother with children without medical needs is what Suzy gives her children everyday. Just a few of the things involved in William's care are: blending his food, changing his treache tube, and helping him with tasks like bathing and teeth brushing complicated by the disorder.
Suzy and her husband Shawn get ready to make dinner for their adopted children William and Mari at their house in Bowling Green. “When I got the call for William I knew he was our son. The same for Mari, I knew she was our daughter,” Suzy said.
Mari and William play by his bed in the living room. William sleeps in the living room some nights with a nurse and some nights his parents take turns watching over him in case of an emergency.
Suzy loads up William and Mari for a weekly doctors appointment an hour away in Nashville, Tn.
Suzy checks William's throat and nose for any obstructions before he goes outside to play wit his sister.
Suzy fills out paperwork at the doctors office at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tn.
Shawn arrives home to pick up William and spin him around in the air.
Suzy feeds William dinner through a feeding tube. “If I could avoid surgeries, I would, but they are what keep him alive. He is still the most happy kids I know, like he is just grateful to be alive,” Suzy said.
Hand washing is the best way to keep water out of William's throat for the Brewers.
Resting her head in her hands Suzy takes a break while the kids play outside.
Shawn and Suzy change William's tracheal tube before bed.
William puts on a show after the "trach tube" change before bed. “I love my children just how they are I don’t ever wish they were different," Suzy said.