Who Erika is
Erika Josephson was born prematurely June 30 with a rare Syndrome known as CHARGE.  CHARGE is a rare complex genetic syndrome.  CHARGE is an acronym for  features found in children with CHARGE.  A diagnosis of CHARGE is made by finding a mutation in the CHD7 gene on chromosone #8 or using Major and Minor clinical features.  Some of the features seen in children with CHARGE are: Coloboma of the eyes (cleft of the eyeball causing vision loss or blindness) Heart defects, Atresia of the nose (a blockage or narrowing of the airway frm the back of the nose to the throat)  Retardation of growth and development, Genito-urinary (kidney)  Ear anomalies and hearing loss (most have unusally formed ears and hearing loss ranging from mild to profound leading to poor balance). Children with CHARGE syndrome have developmental delays. Other features can be cranial nerve damage resulting in facial palsy, swallowing problems and absent sense of smell.   Additionally, there can be growth deficiency, poor upper body strength,  Because of all the medical issues, many children spend many months in the hospital.  The intelligence of children with CHARGE is often underestimated due to the combined vision and hearing loss and multiple medical issues.  CHARGE is medically and developmentally one of the most complex conditions known.  Erika has all of the above features.  
                    Erika’s History

When Erika was born, she spent the first 5 months of her life in the Neonatal Unit fighting for her life.  Erika has all 7 CHARGE features.  She is deafblind.  To date, Erika has had over 35 surgeries.  She had multiple surgeries in the first few months to include her first heart surgery, a trach tube was placed because of her breathing difficulties, a feeding tube because she could not eat by mouth. She finally came home requiring 24 hour nursing care, hooked up to a ventilator and oxygen.  Seven months later, she went in for her 2nd heart surgery.  Unfortunately, that did not go well.  She went into blood pressure arrest, followed by cardiac arrest. Her heart  incision became infected which required debridement.  She became Septic as the infection went through her blood and into her bones.  After receiving chest compressions she had a miraculous turn around and with many prayers from her parents, the heart came back but she was in a coma.  They wanted to stop treating her and pull the plug, but we said no.  She also had multi system failure; kidneys, liver along with infection through out her body. They gave her less than ½% chance of survival.  She slowly came back to us but not without more problems.  She came home from the hospital nine  weeks later, still very weak and sick, but she came home.  Over the years, Erika has worked very hard and has surprised all of us with her endurance and strong will.  At the age of 8 years the trach tube finally came out.  She is working on swallowing with the hopes that some day her feeding tube will also be removed.  She has attended 9 intensive Rehabilitation programs out of state.  She has been to many top medical specialists all over the country.  She worked with a doctor from Germany doing fetal cell injections, a therapist from Brazil, and attends at least once or twice a year an Intensive Rehabilitation progra. She is now walking, with assistance in crutches! She sees a chiropractor weekly. Most recently, Erika has started Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.  After 5 “dives” Erika’s muscles have become less spastic.  Her diet through her feeding tube is now diary free, gluten free foods and she takes a whole lot of vitamin supplements!   Erika works very hard and is full of spunk. She has made a lot of progress with her developement.   She is almost always happy.  She has a crooked smile (because of facial palsy) that is full of love. She loves to give big strong hugs.