BBDF Blog

by SUSIE EGR

This is our handsome son, Oliver James Egr. He is a big piece of our “why” and our superhero. He turned the big thirteen a few months back. When he was born I remember saying “Thank you God for all the abundance in our lives and for this sweet baby boy. He is perfect in every way and has now completed our family ”. He was the typical little boy- ornery but so dang cute. When he started kindergarten we noticed he kept sitting close to the TV and he wasn’t always paying attention. We soon learned he had visual issues. That led to months of additional neuro and genetic testing. I vividly recall that horrific day we received his official diagnosis.- Batten Disease. The genetic company called me on the phone while we were driving to Iowa City for an eye specialist appt for Ollie. To say it took my breath away is an understatement. Darin pulled the car over while I continued to listen on the phone. Ollman was singing “the ants go marching one by one” in the backseat (Not a care in the world.. while ours was being turned upside down) tears instantly flowed from my face and Darin just knew the results weren’t good. I remained quiet as I didn’t want to worry Ollie. That was the longest drive of our lives. After I got the news Dare and I just sat there holding hands with tears streaming. I felt helpless. “No cure….Fatal” is all I heard and it just kept playing over and over in my head. 

Ollie lost his complete vision 6 months after that appointment. Over the years we have seen this disease not only rear it’s ugly head in our son but take the lives of so many innocent, sweet kids. These affected families have became our extended family now. THIS HAS BECAME PERSONAL. 

My faith is strong and I remind myself frequently that our loving Father loves this child more then I will ever comprehend and he walks beside us daily as we fight the good fight. We feel his presence and see him through the kindness of others. That gives us hope. As parents we will never stop advocating for Ollie and the Batten community because they need us! What also gives us hope is putting our efforts towards funding a cure. We are so close!