Doctors Warn Mom Of Baby’s Unusual Condition, Mom Looks At Baby & Instantly Notices
Moms are always so excited to catch that first glimpse of their gorgeous baby on an ultrasound. Sometimes the babies are swimming about, waving at the camera or hiccupping. But when Corinna Heppner first saw her baby on the monitor, her heart dropped.
Corinna was told her baby likely would not survive because he had severe scoliosis and Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), a rare neuromuscular disorder that significantly reduces mobility in the joints and muscles. But her baby wasn’t about to accept his fate. Instead, Rossy Hipkin has been defying the odds since the day he was born.
Rossy was nicknamed “C Man” because he remained in a severely curved and inverted C shape during Corinna’s pregnancy. His extreme curvature was detected at 20 weeks gestation. At that time, his spine extended past 90 degrees. Shockingly, Rossy was delivered in that exact same shape.
“It was hard because you don’t want to see your baby with tubes and wires in a glass box… He was born and he kind of took it from there and showed them all who’s boss.”
Miraculously, Rossy has only had to be revived one time, but otherwise acts like any other little guy. He crawls, but without using his arms, because AMC makes it difficult for him to do so. Instead, he scratches his head with his foot and can drive his power wheelchair using just his legs. The way he adapts to life amazes everyone, according to his nurse, Kalyn Miller.
“He does it all his own way – nothing conventional the way he does anything. But he definitely does a lot of things that people thought he wouldn’t do.”
Not only does Rossy shock people, but he’s become a huge inspiration to everyone blessed to be around him. Doctors originally indicated that Rossy would never breathe on his own or lie flat, nor would he live very long after birth. He’s defied all of that, his mom said.
“He’s so happy. And the words ‘can’t’ and ‘won’t’ and ‘don’t’ and ‘will never’ just don’t exist. They don’t exist for him. One in three kids with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, they don’t make it to their first birthday.”
Still, raising a little one with a serious health condition isn’t easy. But Rossy’s bubbly demeanor and incredible outlook on life lead Corinna to cherish every second with her son.
“Some days you wake up and you don’t know how you’re going to get through the day, but then you look at him and he just smiles through everything. He’s been through more than anyone should ever have to go through in their lives, and he’s only a year old, and he’s still smiling.”
Caring for a baby with such complex medical issues can be taxing and expensive. Rossy requires a host of splints, back braces, oxygen, and other specialized equipment just to help hold him straight. Even catching the common cold can land him in the hospital for days on end. Corinna was unable to return to work, dedicating her time to overseeing Rossy’s daily care, medical appointments, and therapies.
Family and friends continue to support them emotionally and financially through fundraisers. Bless this little boy and his family as they cherish each day Rossy spends gracing this earth.
