Jonathan Cook of Shorewood changed the way his family saw the world during his 10 years of life.
He was born with trisomy 13, a genetic disorder also known as Patau syndrome.
Most babies with the disorder don’t survive more than a few days. One in 20 babies will live longer than six months.
Jonathan was destined to stay among the living for a longer time.
His parents, Ray and Cindy Cook, were told something was wrong after an ultrasound when Cindy was three months pregnant. Amniocentesis confirmed Jonathan had trisomy 13.
“At the time, we were encouraged to terminate the pregnancy because we were told it was incompatible with life,” Cindy said. “His quality of life would be so poor. You know, just a very grim picture was painted of what his future would be like — if he was born alive.
“That just really wasn’t an option for us,” she said. “We decided we would really just put it in God’s hands.”
Pursuing a normal life
Jonathan was a full-term baby, weighing 8 pounds at birth. He had fewer complications than other trisomy babies, Cindy said.
He needed oxygen and was fed through a tube in his stomach. But he came home from the hospital after only a week’s stay....To Read Full Article.
Photo info: Cindy Cook (below left) and her husband Ray (below right) hold a photo of their son Jonathan, who died at age 10 from Trisomy 13, as their sons (from left to right) Evan, 8, Nathan, 6, and Jacob, 8, stand nearby Monday, April 16, 2012, in Shorewood. The Cook family puts together a team for the Joliet Easter Seals telethon in memory of Jonathan. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
