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A change of heart
http://www.thenewsconnection.com/article/Main_News/Local/A_change_of_heart/33075
Michelle Draper
For 12 years, the date August 11 had bad memories for the Steve Pruett family of Corinth. It was the day their three week old son Austin stopped breathing, and the family learned their baby boy had a congenital heart defect. That all changed this year when on August 11, exactly 12 years later, Austin came home with a new heart that was received during a 12 hour surgery at Children's Medical Center of Dallas. "That day now has a totally different meaning for us," said Austin's father Steve Pruett, adding that the significance of that date changed from one of sadness and fear into one of hope and a second chance at life for their son.
Now about 10 weeks past the transplant, Austin was well enough to belatedly celebrate his birthday this week in Flower Mound. The boy who loves University of Texas football and the Dallas Cowboys was treated to a birthday extravaganza at Therapeutic Concepts last Friday when Dallas Cowboy #70, Leonard Davis, brought Austin an autographed ball, along with the gift of his time to take part in some fun football talk. Flozell Adams, # 76, also made an appearance for autographs, but was unable to have photos made with Austin because Adams had a bad cold and couldn't take the chance of exposing Austin to the virus. The party was arranged by Sherri Chapman, the owner of Therapeutic Concepts and a medical massage therapist who sees Austin and his family as clients. "We were really tickled that we were able to make it happen for him. I have never asked any of my players to step up out of respect for their privacy, but I am so glad that I did because he was so excited," Chapman said.
The boy, who has to take 42 pills daily, as well as insulin shots, was able to laugh, talk, and enjoy the afternoon, as would most any 12 year-old. There were balloons, all kinds of Dallas Cowboy memorabilia, and special diabetic cupcakes for Austin, who has developed that condition as a side effect of the medicines he has to take. His dad said the event was quite a highlight for Austin. "His days can get pretty long. He can't go to school right now, and I don't see that changing anytime in the near future," Pruett said. The family belongs to the First Baptist Church of Corinth, and Austin can't go back yet because of the risk of being exposed to germs that could attack his suppressed immune system. His Dad said Austin really misses church. Their Christianity is one thing Leonard Davis and his son have in common. "Leonard Davis is an incredible Christian," Pruett said. "He didn't just spend 5 minutes with Austin; he spent over an hour with us."
Another thing they have in common is their football affiliations. Pruett said Austin is also a huge fan of UT football and Davis played for the Longhorns before becoming a Cowboy. Pruett says Austin loves football so much, he could easily see him becoming a coach someday. That is a future Austin wouldn't have lived to see without this new heart. "We are always mindful of how blessed we are," said his father. "There is not a day goes by that we don't remember that and also remember the family that donated their loved one's heart." The Pruett's have not learned many details about the donor, but Austin wrote a letter to the family expressing his gratitude and so did his parents. "He very much knows what a gift he has been given," Pruett said. The family says one day they will also become donors. "There are not enough organs to go around. We are already signed up to be donors when the time comes," Pruett added.
Pruett and his wife Paula have made quite a few changes in their daily schedules, due to the transplant, and Pruett, who works as a contractor, now does jobs on nights and weekends, and otherwise he stays home with Austin. Paula, Austin's mother, works during the day and stays home with Austin when her husband works. The family does have insurance, but their medical bills are still very high with numerous co-pays for appointments, medications and some things that are not covered by insurance. A fund has been set up to help the family with these costs, and if you would like to contribute, Checks can be made out to the Austin Pruett Benefit Fund and deposited at any branch of the Denton Area Teachers Credit Union. For the phone numbers and addresses of branches, visit datcu.org.
http://www.thenewsconnection.com/article/Main_News/Local/A_change_of_heart/33075
Michelle Draper
For 12 years, the date August 11 had bad memories for the Steve Pruett family of Corinth. It was the day their three week old son Austin stopped breathing, and the family learned their baby boy had a congenital heart defect. That all changed this year when on August 11, exactly 12 years later, Austin came home with a new heart that was received during a 12 hour surgery at Children's Medical Center of Dallas. "That day now has a totally different meaning for us," said Austin's father Steve Pruett, adding that the significance of that date changed from one of sadness and fear into one of hope and a second chance at life for their son.
Now about 10 weeks past the transplant, Austin was well enough to belatedly celebrate his birthday this week in Flower Mound. The boy who loves University of Texas football and the Dallas Cowboys was treated to a birthday extravaganza at Therapeutic Concepts last Friday when Dallas Cowboy #70, Leonard Davis, brought Austin an autographed ball, along with the gift of his time to take part in some fun football talk. Flozell Adams, # 76, also made an appearance for autographs, but was unable to have photos made with Austin because Adams had a bad cold and couldn't take the chance of exposing Austin to the virus. The party was arranged by Sherri Chapman, the owner of Therapeutic Concepts and a medical massage therapist who sees Austin and his family as clients. "We were really tickled that we were able to make it happen for him. I have never asked any of my players to step up out of respect for their privacy, but I am so glad that I did because he was so excited," Chapman said.
The boy, who has to take 42 pills daily, as well as insulin shots, was able to laugh, talk, and enjoy the afternoon, as would most any 12 year-old. There were balloons, all kinds of Dallas Cowboy memorabilia, and special diabetic cupcakes for Austin, who has developed that condition as a side effect of the medicines he has to take. His dad said the event was quite a highlight for Austin. "His days can get pretty long. He can't go to school right now, and I don't see that changing anytime in the near future," Pruett said. The family belongs to the First Baptist Church of Corinth, and Austin can't go back yet because of the risk of being exposed to germs that could attack his suppressed immune system. His Dad said Austin really misses church. Their Christianity is one thing Leonard Davis and his son have in common. "Leonard Davis is an incredible Christian," Pruett said. "He didn't just spend 5 minutes with Austin; he spent over an hour with us."
Another thing they have in common is their football affiliations. Pruett said Austin is also a huge fan of UT football and Davis played for the Longhorns before becoming a Cowboy. Pruett says Austin loves football so much, he could easily see him becoming a coach someday. That is a future Austin wouldn't have lived to see without this new heart. "We are always mindful of how blessed we are," said his father. "There is not a day goes by that we don't remember that and also remember the family that donated their loved one's heart." The Pruett's have not learned many details about the donor, but Austin wrote a letter to the family expressing his gratitude and so did his parents. "He very much knows what a gift he has been given," Pruett said. The family says one day they will also become donors. "There are not enough organs to go around. We are already signed up to be donors when the time comes," Pruett added.
Pruett and his wife Paula have made quite a few changes in their daily schedules, due to the transplant, and Pruett, who works as a contractor, now does jobs on nights and weekends, and otherwise he stays home with Austin. Paula, Austin's mother, works during the day and stays home with Austin when her husband works. The family does have insurance, but their medical bills are still very high with numerous co-pays for appointments, medications and some things that are not covered by insurance. A fund has been set up to help the family with these costs, and if you would like to contribute, Checks can be made out to the Austin Pruett Benefit Fund and deposited at any branch of the Denton Area Teachers Credit Union. For the phone numbers and addresses of branches, visit datcu.org.
