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3 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M ay 21,2020 theifp.ca MARCH 19TH 2020, To reduce exposure and increase the safety of our staff and customers from the Covid-19 Virus, we will be reducing our business hours effective immediately as follows: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 4PM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY CLOSED We are staying open to serve our contractors and commercial customers who need to keep their business operating. Parking lot pick up and delivery will be arranged. If you need materials at your home please call in your order and arrange parking lot pickup or delivery if necessary. We are suspending cash transactions immediately. We will accept Debit, Credit and e-transfer. There will be no access to the store or yard until further notice. Thanks for your understanding, 519-853-1970 www.leathertownlumber.ca 905-877-0596 330 GUELPH ST.,GEORGETOWN (opposite Canadian Tire)www.millersscottishbakery.com MILLER'S ScottISh BakERy MILLER'S ScottISh BakERy British Style Meats,Groceries, Sweets & More! We carry TESCO products, jewellery, British gifts, imported British cheeses & publications WE ARE OPEN TO SERVE YOU!! Tues & Sat 9:30-6,Wed-Fri 10-6:30, Sun 11-4,CLOSED Mon WALK-IN & FAMILY CLINIC Where good health begins 221 Miller Dr., Georgetown 905-873-1001 • GenesisHealthTeam.comAccepting New Patients. Open 7 Days a Week We're OPEN 7 DAYSAWEEK with EXTENDED HOURS • Phone Consults • Appointments •Walk-Ins The odds of it happening were incredibly slim; a 1 in 250,000 chance. So rare that this Georgetown family's pediatrician hadn't actual- ly seen a case in over 30 years of practising medi- cine. But for new parents An- drew and Cheryl Herbert, Krabbe disease has become an all-consuming part of their daily lives. Their sev- en-month-old son Lincoln was recently diagnosed with the fatal metabolic disorder that destroys the protective coating of nerve cells in the brain and throughout the nervous system. While the couple was originally told he would have about two years to live, the genetic disease is progressing quickly and recently started causing Lincoln to have infantile spasms (seizures), reduc- ing his life expectancy to mere months. "We've been told he might not make it to his first birthday," said An- drew. "It's extremely heart- wrenching. Every day, ev- ery minute we have with him is precious." The Herberts have spent much of the past two months at Sick Kids, stay- ing at Lincoln's side in shifts due to hospital visi- tor restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. The pair first became concerned about their son's health when he was around five months old. Lincoln wasn't holding his head up, rolling over or grasping for toys, and had become inconsolable al- most all the time. "He could be screaming uncontrollably for 22 hours (out of 24)," recalled Andrew. "You couldn't put the poor guy down without him screaming." The couple worked with their pediatrician to treat what was believed to be se- vere colic symptoms with a variety of methods. But nothing worked. One night, after Lincoln had been hysterical from midnight until 9 a.m. the next morning, they were advised to take him to Mc- Master or Sick Kids for an ultrasound. The experts at Sick Kids quickly recognized the ba- by's condition was neuro- logical and booked him for a three-hour MRI that re- vealed the fatal disorder. "The biggest challenge I've had to overcome was hearing the heart-wrench- ing news that my innocent, beautiful baby boy will one day pass away," said Cheryl. "My hope is for this terrible nightmare to end, but I know deep inside that this is now reality for us." The Georgetown wom- an spent her first Mother's Day in the hospital, with Andrew and the nurses decorating the room to make the bittersweet occa- sion as special as possible. The couple has been learning all of the skills they need to keep Lincoln safe and comfortable when he comes home from the hospital, including how to suction the saliva that he now struggles to swallow. With several of the me- dications and supplies re- quired for patients with Krabbe disease not covered by OHIP, and Lincoln re- quiring 24-hour care, the Herberts have launched a GoFundMe page (go- fundme.com/f/hope-for- lincoln) to help cover some of their costs -- a campaign that's raised over $20,000 so far. Initially they had hoped some of the funds could help them travel a bit with Lincoln and visit family and friends further afield, but his quick decline has left them unsure if that can happen. "My biggest hope for Lincoln is that he lives for as long as possible with lit- tle pain," said Cheryl. "He's my everything; my beauti- ful, blue-eyed baby." NEWS 'IT'S EXTREMELY HEART-WRENCHING' BABY WITH RARE BRAIN DISORDER GIVEN MONTHS TO LIVE MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com Seven-month-old Lincoln Herbert, who's been diagnosed with Krabbe disease. Herbert family photo