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22 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 20, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Max is their inspiration By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Max Vallender touched everyone. His sparkling eyes brought his family together, his battle with a disease that affects one in 6,000 babies is still remembered by the doctors and nurses who saw him, and his smile has stamped an everlasting memory in the minds of all those who knew him. Even now, almost two years after he peacefully passed away at McMaster Hospital at only six weeks old, Max's spirit continues to inspire, especially those who will be participating in the Rebecca Run for Spinal Muscular Atrophy this year. Max was born on July 16, 2006, after what his mother, Cheryl Vallender, believed to be a healthy pregnancy. "It was perfect. Max was a fullterm baby. There were no complications. It was really a perfect pregnancy," said Cheryl. However, later on that night, one of the nurses noticed that Max's body was floppy on one side. "She told the pediatrician, but, at the time, they didn't think that it was something to worry about," said Cheryl. Max had an appointment with a neurologist at McMaster Hospital the next day. To the family's relief the doctor concluded there was nothing wrong with Max's brain, and that the floppiness would "resolve itself." The family's relief was short lived. Max Vallender Max's condition was not improving, and his oxygen level was below normal. He was sent to see a neuromuscular doctor the next week. The doctor's initial examination of Max was not as positive as that of the neurologist's. He asked the family to have blood work done on Max to determine whether the, then, one-week-old baby had a genetic disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA causes weakness in the spinal cord and brainstem. Infantile SMA (SMA1) is the most severe form of the disease and it usually occurs in infants who are below six months of age. The doctor told Cheryl infants who suffer from this disorder usually have trouble breathing, and generally don't live past two years of age. Max tested positive. "We were worried and devastated. It is just awful knowing that your son is going to die," said Cheryl. The family was given instructions on how to care for Max. "He couldn't lift his arms so we always had to make sure that they were tucked in comfortably. We also had to make sure to hold his head a little high to allow him to breath properly," said his mom. Max would spend his six weeks of life between the hospital and his home in Oakville. "The times we spent at home were so memorable," recalled Cheryl. "It was nice having our baby boy with us... We all (Sam Vallender, Max's dad and big bother, Colin Vallender) took naps together, with Max in the basinette next to the bed, and Colin climbing into our bed, it was a nice time with all of my boys," she added. At three weeks of age, Max's lips curved, for the first time, to form the baby boy's first smile. Cheryl was told that babies with SMA tend to smile a lot and are, generally, happy children because the disorder does not affect a child's brain development. But Max would soon return to McMaster Hospital. "His color was a bit off. It looked a little grey, so we took him back to the hospital and they kept him in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)," said Cheryl. The family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House to be close by. Because Max had difficulty with swallowing the doctors had to insert a G-tube in his abdomen to help with his feeding at home. The surgery, which took place See Family page 23