Quinton at the Cotton Bowl (he was excited because it was his first bowl game)

Quinton is the oldest child in the family picture

Quinton was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) when he was three days old. He was transferred from Lake Jackson, Texas to Texas Children's Hospital where he received care from Dr. Nihill. His correction was performed in February of 1991 by Dr. Ott when Quinton was seven months old. The surgery went well but the ICU stay was a nightmare. Quinton was intubated for 10 days. After that it was smooth sailing for the next ten years.

Quinton has been an extreme athlete. He has played baseball, he was a Jr. gold medalist in gymnastics at the Dallas State Meet in 1999. He has been a diver as well as a water polo player. He also raced shifter karts for two years.

In 2002, Quinton passed out while sprinting with his friends across the school playground. After several stress tests, a cath finally revealed that his left pulmonary artery had never grown and his pulmonary valve was no longer working. We are not sure how long it had been that way. (His PC's had not ordered an echo in four years and had not seen him in two years. They did not seem to be concerned that there were any foreseeable problems and did not need to see him. They were confident that the valve he originally had would last well until adulthood.)

Within one year (2002-2003) he had a stent placement in the left pulmonary artery and open heart surgery performed by Dr. Frasier at TCH to replace the pulmonary valve. We found out two months ago that the p.a. was narrowing again and would need to be ballooned. Quinton pulmonary valve is calcifying. Therefore, his heart is not getting all of the oxygenated blood where it needs to be. Quinton is temporarily restricted from sports until these issues can be resolved.

All in all he is blessed to be in this world and we couldn't be more thrilled that God gave him to us. His life is a gift and a testimony to strength and will. Quinton is determined to live his life to the fullest. He recently joined the Civil Air Patrol which is a civil militia that trains young citizens in aviation and survival skills. He is my hero.