Ruger's Story

Ruger was born in February of 2015. He was your normal happy cooing baby who grew into your everyday curious energetic toddler, but he just wouldn’t talk. It wasn’t until May 2019 when Ruger was diagnosed with autism and ADHD through the Center for Neurosciences in Tucson. His autism has left him with speech, sensory and eating issues which he combats with different therapies he receives through Therapy Group of Tucson.  

In the winter of 2022, Ruger’s health took an unexpected turn for the worse. He became very ill, pale, started to show signs of jaundice and had been out of school for weeks. A trip to the Phoenix Childrens Hospital revealed that Ruger had hereditary hemolytic anemia. Hereditary hemolytic anemia is a rare blood disorder that occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them. This condition can make Ruger very sleepy at times. His hematologist monitors his labs twice yearly to make sure his red blood cell count is up to par.  

In the fall of 2023, we found out through an MRI scan that Ruger also has Chiari Malformation. Chiari Malformation is a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, is present at birth and occurs when part of the skull is abnormally small or misshapen. Ruger must avoid any activity that may cause him to hyper extend his neck because even the smallest whiplash could cause him to have brain damage. Due to how high risk Ruger’s brain condition is he must complete an MRI once a year.