Family Stories; Michael John Dalton

Methlymalonic Acidemia, Cbl. C, Age 14

Update on Michael on 5/3/2007

Michael is now almost 19 years old. He has been doing very well since he had surgery for scoliosis in November of 2004. He graduated from high school in May of 2006. Currently he is attending a school in Andover called Bridges. He continues to love school.

Michael is non verbal, although he tends to get his message across pretty well. He does have the ability to communicate some of his wants. He knows where the tv remote is and will either hand it to one of us, or continue to push the buttons until it turns on. He pats his mouth when he is hungry. He still loves to eat! He prefers salty snack foods compared to sweet. He will go to the door or hand us his back pack when he wants to go somewhere.

Michael's meds consist of Cystadane, Carnitor, Folic Acid, Hydroxocobalamin injections, Dilantin, Phenobarbital, Prevacid, Miralax and Multivitamins with minerals and calcium.

If you would like to contact us, please feel free to do so -- JKdalt@msn.com

Karen and John Dalton, Minnesota

Written by Ashley Marie Dalton, sister, in the June 2002 OAA newsletter

When my brother was born they did not know that Michael had a disorder called Methylmalonic Acidemia and Homosystinuria. Today he still has the disorder. He is only 14 years old. He cannot talk, all he can say is Ma Ma, Baby and Ba. Sometimes when my Mom calls him he comes.

Michael has to have 4 shots a week. I think my brother can understand what we say, like when my mom says go put your clothes in the laundry basket sometimes he throws them on the floor on the way to the laundry room. But I am not sure if he can understand us.

My brother used to pull my hair, it hurt. Sometimes I got mad and he started crying. He doesn't pull my hair anymore. I wish my brother could talk and play games with me. Like tag or ghost in the graveyard. I wish he could tease me like a lot of big brothers do. My brother has brown hair and blue eyes. Michael likes to play with his big yellow ball and bounce on it with me. He also likes to run after me when I run away from him. I am 9 years old and in the 3rd grade. I wish I could have a brother or sister that could talk and play with me. He screams so loud, because he doesn't get what he wants, I have to plug my ears.

In previous OAA Newsletter when Michael John Dalton was 9 Yrs. Old

Michael, born 5/16/88 is almost 10 years old and I have always wanted to write something to put in this newsletter, but I just never finished writing. I have a hard time remembering everything that has happened to him since he was born. I told this to Kathy, and she said just write about how he is doing now. So here I go. Michael was diagnosed at the age of 8 months after 4 months of knowing that something was wrong. Finally, we had an answer, of course not the answer that we wanted, but at least he hopefully would get better. Then we waited another couple of months for his fibroblast (skin cell culture analysis) to come back. He is B-12 responsive, type Cobalimin C.

When Michael was younger he seemed to be sick much more than he is now. He sure has been through his share of hospital stays! Michael also had a stroke in 1994 and still does not have full use of his left hand. He also has seizures, which currently are pretty well controlled; he is on Phenobarbital and Dilantin. Michael also is visually impaired but is getting better each year.

Currently he is about the age level of a 12-18 month old. He is a very loving boy, full of laughter and enjoys the simplest things in life. He loves music; Barney and Raffi are his favorites. Michael also loves to bug his younger sister Ashley (5 years old). I'm surprised that she still has hair left on her head! He also loves to wrestle! He loves the sound of laughter, but is very sensitive when he hears anyone cry (even if it's on a TV show), then Michael starts to cry too. Michael loves school, he is in the 4th grade MSMI (moderate-severe mentally impaired) program. Michael does not talk or use sign language. He does say "ma-ma" which of course makes me happy.

He loves to eat; of course this is difficult when he is on a restricted diet. He gets 1.5 grams of protein per kilo, so as he gets bigger it is easier. Michael weighs about 50 pounds and seems to be getting taller and taller every day. He is a challenge, because he loves to get into everything and anything he can get his hands on!

We love hearing from other parents and this newsletter is a great help to us. Thank you!

Michael Graduates High School

Michael (18) and Sister Ashley (14) Summer '06

September 2005
Michael Dalton
17 years old

Michael, Age 14

Mom and Michael, Age 9