Greg was born September 13, 1979 in Columbus, Ohio. When I first met him he was three months old and in the hospital with kidney failure. He had already had two major surgeries performed upon his small, frail body. I took him home with me as a foster child, after being told that he was not expected to survive.  Three years later I adopted him.The next seventeen years were not easy ones. It seemed like it was Greg and me against the world most of the time. Several more surgeries, severe behavior problems and the lack of needed assistance from the government agencies made the task even more difficult. Greg spent a lot of time in out of home placements because of his inability to control his emotions. Throughout it all we continued to love and cling to each other, surviving one day at a time. I was able to have him at home for the last three years of his life because, things were beginning to change. Some in-home help finally became available. With the help of some very dear people, we were finally able to enjoy each other more. When Greg was fifteen, he began having seizures. The cause of the seizures was never found. They were some kind of inherited degenerative nervous system disorder. Greg started a fast decline at age seventeen. He spent his last few weeks in a wheelchair because of weakness and activity triggered seizures. He celebrated his eighteenth birthday on September 13, 1997 with over 40 of his friends at a surprise party. On September 25, 1997, Greg had a seizure and arrested. He could not be resuscitated. Greg lives on in other people because he was an organ donor. He loved life so much. After death Greg was able to help as many as 50 people through organ and tissue donation.

Age 1 year	Age 2 Years	Age 3 Years	Age 4 years

During the period of time that the above pictures were taken Greg had many setbacks.  He was hospitalized many times; underwent several surgeries; fought systemic infections, bowel obstruction and multiple kidney shut downs.  Throughout it all he remained strong.  It seemed that he had such a will to survive that he was able to meet any challenge head on.  He  bounced back only to be struck down again and again.  He was able to enjoy life in spite of what life dealt him.  Finally, twelve days after his eighteenth birthday, he lost his battle to survive.  Everyone who knew Greg admired his will to live and enjoy life.  Greg did not want to die.  The only thing that I could do help him to live on was through organ and tissue donation.  I have not met any of the people that benefited from Greg's final gift, but I know deep in my heart that they are now among his  very best friends.
 

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE.  SOMEONE'S LIFE DEPENDS UPON YOU.  BE AN ORGAN, TISSUE DONOR.

GREG, I MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH; YOU WERE NOT ONLY MY SON; YOU WERE ALSO MY BEST FRIEND.

This candle burns as a memorial to Greg and to all children who have died.