Donnie Heaton, A record holder with a syndrome.

A recent news story containing trisomy 18.

            Recently I read about a man named Donnie Heaton, (see figure 1) a Trisomy 18 patient (More information about trisomy 18 below) has reached the age of 21. This is extremely rare for trisomy 18 patients as they usually die at birth, or if they even manage to be born they die before their first birthday. Donnie only weighs 55 pounds and he’s still healthy as ever. He could manage to live a full life if he continues to live healthy. His immune system isn't as strong as others and his bones and skin is also weaker. He gets sick much more often and he can’t talk and he isn't able to walk either. He goes to a special need school and sadly he can’t control his bowels. Although he manages to continue on pushing on in his life, he is has of the records for longest living trisomy 18 patient.

Figure 1: A picture of Donnie sitting down.

What is trisomy 18?

Trisomy 18 is when the 18^th chromosomes have a third chromosome rather than just having two. (See figure 2) This leads to many deformities, although most of them are quite rare and unheard of, while some are common in people. If you want more information click the link HERE.

Figure 2: A picture of trisomy 18, as you can see the third 18th chromosome.

What are the effects of trisomy 18?

The effects of the trisomy 18 vary, while it can barely affect some people, it can put some people in wheel chairs and can make others have deformities such as weak bones or a small jaw or kidney problems. Most people have a third 18^th chromosome usually die at a very young age, with a mortality rate of 90% that children with trisomy 18 will die before they hit their first birthday. Although it is more common for boys with trisomy 18 to die then for girls with trisomy 18 to die.

How is trisomy 18 caused?

            Trisomy 18 is caused when there is an 18^th chromosome during conception. Since the father and mother both give 23 chromosomes to their child, every person has 46 chromosomes. But the trisomy 18 gives children another chromosome leading to 47 chromosomes. For some reason they get another 18^th chromosome, a mutation in and of itself. Parents cannot hereditarily give their children the third 18^th chromosome, except for in some rare cases which are less than 5% of all trisomy 18 cases, but instead it is just the human body messing up and giving the child the 18^th chromosome. Trisomy 18 happens to about 1 in every 2500 children.

Is there anything we can do about trisomy 18?

           Currently there is no “cure” for trisomy 18, it is simply a birth defect. It is a lot like its cousin down syndrome, where down syndrome has its 21^st trisomy chromosome causing down syndrome. There is no real cure unless the effects caused by it are curable in some sort of way or other. Society can help by adapting to people with trisomy 18 and donating to donations that will help trisomy 18 patients and parents.

To wrap up the story.

           Donnie's story is an inspiring one. It proves that with friends and family you can get through any situation, even the toughest. When Donnie was born the doctor said to be ready for him to die in your arms because trisomy 18 patients don't live very long, but Donnie's family kept on pushing to try and keep him alive, and hes still alive to this day. If Donnie hadn't had the family that he had today he probably would've died, but thanks to there love care and hard work, hes living and breathing to this day, and they love him, and he loves them.