A Small Glimpse

I spent a few hours with a family in Richmond Hill last month. They'd just lost their three-year-old son Zack, who was born missing his 12th chromosome. I interviewed them about their fundraising campaign for a hospital room dedicated to their little boy. It always amazes me how willing people are to welcome reporters into their homes, and to offer us a small glimpse into their lives.

Here's the story I wrote:

Remembering Zack: Hospital ‘dream room’ to honour Richmond Hill boy

Heather Hamilton’s days used to revolve around her youngest son Zack, a little boy with enviably long eyelashes and cheeks that puffed out when he grinned.

Born moments after his healthy twin brother, Zack entered the world with his hands clenched in fists so tight they were black.

Hamilton immediately knew something was wrong.

“His colour didn’t look right,” she says at her home in Richmond Hill. “His body looked different.”

Zack also had a congenital heart defect. The same day he was born, he had to be resuscitated — twice.

At two weeks old, Zack survived open-heart surgery, but his health problems continued, including seizures, hearing loss, fluid on the brain and developmental delays.

Geneticists eventually discovered Zack was born missing his 12th chromosome. They said it was the first recorded case in the world.

Zack died on March 10. He was 3.

Read the rest of the story here.