As Ryan continued to grow, he developed several health issues that seemed to just never go away.  As a baby, he constantly battled severe sinus issues while also combating against chronic ear and upper respiratory infections; all resulting in four major surgeries by his second birthday!  Although we had started to become familiar with all of Ryan’s health issues, nothing could have prepared us for the challenges we would soon learn we would face for the rest of his life. On December 11th, 2013 our worlds were completely turned upside down with just one phone call.  I was at work when Ryan’s pediatrician called to inform me that she had received a call from Ryan’s geneticist stating that Ryan had been diagnosed with a genetic disorder called Lysosomal Storage Disorder.  She continued to explain that Ryan had Hunter Syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder in which his body lacks the essential enzyme necessary to break down sugar molecules and turn them into waste for elimination.  Because his body is unable to process these sugars, it causes the cells to build up to toxic levels in the body; leading to irreversible physical and mental damage. Ryan would slowly lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, play, and recognize the people he loves.  Lastly, Ryan’s pediatrician informed me that Hunter Syndrome is a terminal disease in which there is currently no cure available and that Hunter Syndrome children have a life expectancy of their teen years, at best.  With a heavy heart, I hung up and wondered what in the world we were going to do next.